The Imperial Study, Xue Yantuo. When the heavenly general saw that Li Shimin promised to send Shan Zhuokun to Putuo, he was overjoyed.

Although he had only met him briefly, the young man's honesty and intelligence had moved him deeply, and he was willing to regard him as a friend to whom he could be entrusted.

As the saying goes, make friends and keep your word. Friends are important in the fellowship of their hearts and lives, entrusted by others, and loyal to others.

In Xue Yantuo. In the eyes of the general, Shan Zhuokun is undoubtedly such a person.

"General Tianjiang, although you and my brothers have experienced all kinds of twists and turns, they are fortunate to have the same heart and trust each other. I also hope that the Western Turks and the Tang Dynasty will be able to be close to each other in the future. After a while, the two came to the table, Li Shimin picked up the tea cup and said with a smile, "Come, I will toast you with tea instead of wine." ”

Xue Yantuo. Tianjiang naturally understood what Li Shimin meant, although on the surface it was just an ordinary sentence that could not be more plain, but in fact it contained a strong heart.

"Thank you Emperor Tang, when I go back, I will definitely bring your heart to my Khan. Please rest assured, no matter what, I, Xue Yantuo, will always be the supporter of Datang. The Celestial General will also be your eternal brother. ”

Let's talk about it, Xue Yantuo. Tianjiang and Li Shimin drank the tea in their cups and laughed heartily with each other.

Zuixiao Tower is located in the most prosperous area of the East City. As the most famous restaurant in Chang'an, it has always been known as a gathering place for high-ranking officials and businessmen. Not only that, but sometimes even the palace sometimes holds banquets here to receive important people.

That night, the hall on the third floor of Zuixiao Tower was brightly lit, and the sound of silk and bamboo pipe music was pleasant. Under the arrangement of Guo Bin and others, the civil and military officials of the Tang Dynasty and the members of the Western Turkic merchant group sat opposite each other, discussing topics of interest to the two ethnic groups.

"Shangxian, General Ben heard that you won back face in front of General Naxitu today." During the banquet, Yu Chi Baolin took a sip of wine and said with a smile to Shan Zhuokun, "Tell me and King Han, what's going on?" ”

After that, he glanced at Li Yuanchang, the king of Han, who was sitting on the other side of Shan Zhuokun, with a smile. Seeing that the other party was watching the movement on their side, he couldn't help but feel even more proud.

"Don't talk nonsense, what wins back face?" Unexpectedly, Shan Zhuokun flatly denied this matter. To add to his tone, he added, "I don't even know what you're talking about." ”

"Don't know?" Yu Chi Baolin said in surprise, "But the people in the post house obviously said that you and Xue Yantuo and his wife had been talking in the room for a long time. ”

Shan Zhuokun smiled slightly, and said lightly: "Oh, that's what you said." Yes, I did talk to them in the room for a long time, but it was just some ordinary words of local customs, and there was nothing important at all, let alone face. ”

When Yu Chi Baolin heard this, he felt a little disappointed in his heart. Just as he was about to continue asking, he suddenly heard a rush of footsteps from outside, occasionally mixed with a little hazy conversation.

In the hall, when everyone heard this voice, they put the tea cup in their hands on the table, sat up straight, and moved their eyes to the door. The environment, which was still extremely noisy, instantly became deserted.

"The emperor has arrived."

In the anticipation of the people, suddenly, Guo Bin's voice came in from the door.

Everyone fell to their knees, all facing the door, and bowed respectfully.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live."

After a while, under the guidance of Guo Bin and others, Li Shimin, who was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, walked in with a spring breeze. Behind him was Xue Yantuo, who was dressed in black robes. The heavenly general and the sword heart in a red dress.

"Everyone, please get up." When he came to the table, Li Shimin ordered, "The reason why I held a banquet in Zuixiao Tower tonight is to entertain the Western Turkic merchant group. You don't have to be polite, you can just drink happily. ”

"Yes."

When everyone in the hall heard the emperor's words, their hearts settled down slightly, and they unanimously reached out to wipe the sweat from their foreheads.

Li Shimin looked around and smiled slightly. Then, he said:

"Master Shan."

Shan Zhuokun was picking up the wine glass from the table, planning to have a good time with Yu Chi Baolin and Li Yuanchang. Hearing the emperor's orders, I was stunned.

The rest of the people on the side also opened their mouths wide, looking stunned.

In the crowd, only Yu Chi Baolin's expression was extremely calm, and he still looked at this sudden change with a smile.

"Imperial ....... The Emperor ......"

Shan Zhuokun stood up and said with sincere fear. He really couldn't understand how he was just a rookie in officialdom, who should have been on the margins, how could he suddenly become so lucky that he was named by the emperor.

"Sit here." Li Shimin pointed to the empty seat on his left and said with a smile.

At this moment, there was a dramatic change in the hall. People's eyes wandered back and forth between Li Shimin and Shan Zhuokun suspiciously, and they guessed the reason why Shan Zhuokun was favored.

You must know that the emperor has never given anyone such an honor since he ascended the throne, and this is the first time in the world.

And Shan Zhuokun felt as if he was a crappy actor who was forced to face the camera without preparing his lines at all. Although I was shining with a flash, I couldn't find any sense of confidence at all. On the contrary, he was sweating profusely, and his court clothes were completely soaked before he knew it.

"Shan Aiqing, sit here." Li Shimin saw that Shan Zhuokun was motionless, so he urged.

The reason why he is doing this tonight is for two purposes. First, after getting along with each other during this period of time, he really appreciates Shan Zhuokun's approach, and from the bottom of his heart, he also hopes to make it a rope in his hands that can be connected and promote reform. And tonight, on such an occasion, he will undoubtedly invisibly establish the prestige of the other party, and thus determine his position among the courtiers. And the second is also deliberately made for Xue Yantuo. The heavens will see that the person he values so much will definitely live up to the trust and complete the task of finding Chanhime. It played a vital role in the establishment of friendly relations between the Western Turks and the Tang Dynasty.

Shan Zhuokun looked left and right, and saw that everyone was still staring at him intently. knew that he would not be able to escape tonight no matter what, so he bit his teeth, shrunk his neck, and quickly came to Li Shimin's side.

"Zhuo Kun, thank you to the emperor."

He first hugged his fists and bowed deeply to Li Shimin, and then sat down on the vacant seat with anxiety.

However, no matter how hard he lowered his head, he couldn't stop the Dao's envious or fierce gaze.

Shan Zhuokun knew that from now on, he would become a complete target, allowing others to point fingers in the dark, but there was nowhere to escape.

Hey, I couldn't imagine that my fate would be so tragic.

Shan Zhuokun sighed secretly.

Throughout the dinner, Shan Zhuokun always felt like a thorn in his back. No matter how others sing and dance, push cups and change lamps, and stagger, he seems to be out of his body, ethereal, and his brain is blank.

Even occasionally forced to work with Li Shimin and Xue Yantuo. When the heavens speak, he can also be concise, and never say a word.

Even so, in the end, his palms were still cold.