In the third year of the Tang Dynasty, June 29, early in the morning.

In the main hall of Taiji Palace, Emperor Li Shimin is in the early court. The civil and military officials under it are arranged left and right, all of them full of energy. Among them, a large number of civil officials led by the eldest grandson Wuji stood closest to the emperor.

Li Shimin's complexion looked very good, sitting on the dragon chair, smiling, and speaking in a high-pitched voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I went to the Pure Land Temple to practice two days ago, but I failed to go to the court, so I am afraid that there will be a delay. Tomorrow is the day of the scientific examination. The world's leaders have gathered in Chang'an, and this is the first time since I ascended the throne that I have selected my Tang Dynasty talents. I also hope that all of you Aiqing will perform their duties, recognize people with their discernment, and select the good talents who govern the world for me. ”

"Your Majesty is diligent and loves the people, and the ministers should do their best to share your Majesty's worries."

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, the civil and military officials, under the leadership of the eldest grandson Wuji, shouted in unison. Seeing this, Li Shimin didn't have any expression, and squinted at the eldest grandson Wuji.

"The Duke of Qi has been in charge of the Ministry of Officials for three years, and he has never made any mistakes, and I can still be trusted. However, after all, this scientific expedition is a system, and it is arbitrarily decided by the Qiangang, and the state governments do not know about it in advance, so it is inevitable that the time will be a little rushed. Regarding various matters related to scientific research, do your officials and Guozijian have a book? ”

"Back to Your Majesty!"

The eldest grandson Wuji stepped out, and the eyes of all the courtiers were on him. However, the eldest grandson Wuji suddenly paused and turned to look at Wei Zheng who was standing behind.

"Since receiving His Majesty's will at the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Officials has already begun to prepare various matters with the Guozijian. From announcing the state capitals to formulating the examination questions for the Jinshi Subject, it was very smooth. Now, the world's lifters have flocked to Chang'an. It seems that the test will be started as scheduled, but in the past two days, Lord Wei Zheng has broken into the list of Guozijian several times to ask for the scientific examination. He also submitted a number of copies to Shangshu Province in a vain attempt to suspend the scientific expedition. Among them, there are also some remarks that are suspected of belittling our officials. The minister and the two servants have discussed many times, but they don't know what the purpose of Lord Wei Zheng's move is. I was puzzled, and I was waiting for His Majesty to return to the palace. ”

"Oh? Suspend scientific research? ”

After Li Shimin listened to the words of the eldest grandson Wuji, the expression that was still smiling immediately froze. Then his face was solemn, and his gaze at the ministers was a little more majestic.

"The secretary is in charge of the national classics and compiles the group books, which is also somewhat related to the scientific examination. Shangshu Province, where is Wei Zheng's twists and turns? ”

"Back to Your Majesty, it has been submitted to the Dragon Case, please take a look at it."

Fang Xuanling walked out of the middle of the class, and immediately walked back after speaking. Li Shimin didn't look at him either, and found two copies in a pile of compromises on the dragon case, both of which were played by Wei Zheng. The above content is very simple, to the effect that many of the tribute students recommended by the state government to participate in the examination do not have real talents. Most of them are the children of some families and eunuchs, and they have long been in contact with some courtiers and even officials.

Li Shimin is such a smart person, he can see at a glance what Wei Zheng wants to express. I saw that after he finished reading the recital, he closed his eyes and was silent for a moment, and suddenly smashed the two recitals to the ground.

This scene frightened all the civil and military officials who were facing upwards and knelt down.

"Your Majesty is angry."

The eldest grandson Wuji hurriedly shouted, his face was sincerely frightened, and the rest of the officials also persuaded the emperor not to be angry. Wei Zheng was the only one who did not speak. After a while, Li Shimin opened his eyes again.

"Since ancient times, the nobles of the family have been the troubles of the court's henchmen, why don't I understand this truth? In the thirteenth year of the Great Cause, I and the Emperor Taishang raised troops from Jinyang and fought all the way. To this day, how many vassal kings have been pacified by the imperial court, and how many tigers, leopards, and jackals have been exterminated? But can you kill all these people? Bashu, Lingnan, and the state capitals of the barbarians, the imperial court relied on appeasement, not the use of soldiers, why? We can't afford to die so many people, and we can't shed so much blood in this world! ”

Li Shimin paused, his eyes were misty, and he seemed to remember the years of fighting on the battlefield in the past. There seemed to be tears in his eyes, but they didn't fall.

"Many families and wealthy families have multiplied for hundreds or thousands of years, and they have lived longer and longer than any dynasty. Can the officials of the imperial court manage those remote places? If we want to make these places stable, even I have to rely on the power of those squire clans. These people are all over the world, but once the court is weak, the people will rise up, and they may be the first to come out to destroy my Tang Dynasty. I understand this, but how can you not understand it? But can I kill them all? Now, these children of the family want to be famous, want to become officials in the court, can I cut off the career of all of them? ”

Li Shimin asked three rhetorical questions in a row, one heavier than the other. Although he said it to the civil and military officials, the eyes of all the officials were secretly on Wei Zheng. At this time, the arrogant secretary and supervisor finally changed his face. Then he walked out of the court class alone and knelt down in front of Li Shimin.

"The ministers are narrow-sighted, they can't understand Your Majesty's painstaking efforts, and there is a big mistake, please ask Your Majesty to surrender."

"Okay, Aiqing is also thinking about the court, I know your mind. However, the stakes are high and cannot be postponed. This matter is still hosted by the Ministry of Officials, and the other six ministries and Jiuqing are coordinated from the side, so that I can see the talents of the world. Wei Zheng has meritorious advice, reward 100 taels of gold, 10 horses of Shu brocade, go down. ”

Li Shimin waved his hand and closed his eyes again. When Wei Zheng heard this, he hurriedly kowtowed and thanked him, and retreated to the court. The rest of the ministers looked at each other, and they all saw the look of shock on each other's faces. The emperor was obviously very angry, but in the end, instead of blaming Wei Zheng, he even gave a reward. Such a result is really unexpected.

The eldest grandson Wuji watched Wei Zheng come back safe and sound, his eyes flashed twice, and he hurriedly shouted "Your Majesty Shengming". And when he called this, the rest of the civil and military officials also echoed him. For a while, the huge court seemed extremely harmonious.

Li Shimin was still silent with his eyes closed, and he didn't know what he was thinking. It wasn't until two minutes later that the chief eunuch who was waiting on the side took two steps forward.

"If there is something to do, it will be played early, and there will be nothing to retreat."

"The Ministry of Ministers and Soldiers has a plan to play."

Suddenly, a middle-aged official in his forties walked out of the middle of the class. Looking at the official uniform, it is the book of the military department of the third grade. Although this person was burly, his face looked a little tired and his spirit was not good. Li Shimin glanced at him when he heard this, but sat up straight.

"What's going on with the military department?"

"Back to Your Majesty, according to the spies, the king of Tubo, Langri Songtsen, was poisoned a few days ago, and his eldest son, Songtsan Gampo, who was only twelve years old, became the 33rd Tsangpu of Tubo. Nowadays, the major families, nobles and many tribes in Tibet have rebelled, and it is already chaotic. Prince Subi wrote a book and sent it to the Ministry of War, hoping that my Datang could send troops to help him restore the country. ”

"Prince Subi?"

When Li Shimin heard this, his face changed several times, and then he looked at Fang and Du.

"What does Shangshu Province think about this matter?"

"Back to Your Majesty! This Subi country is a women's country, and its monarchs are all women, and they have been subjugated to Tibet for many years. Now this so-called Prince Subi repairs books and asks for help, which is really a bit overwhelming. In the past two years, my Datang has just reconciled with Tubo. Now, if you tear up the alliance and send troops to Tibet for the sake of a small country, you will not only be left with unbelief and unkindness, but you may not be able to get benefits. ”

"The minister seconded the proposal!"

As soon as Fang Xuanling finished speaking, Du Ruhui also stood up and expressed his opinion. Li Shimin nodded, and then asked the eldest grandson Wuji. After getting the same answer, he looked at Li Jing, the secretary of the Criminal Department.

"Aiqing has led the army for many years, what do you think about the civil strife in Tibet?"

"Back to Your Majesty, the minister thought that Tibet was a wild land, with high and dangerous mountains and barren land. Since ancient times, our Han people have no desire to peep at it. And now that it is the busy season of farming, it is not appropriate for me to use troops in Datang. But ......"

When Li Jing said this, he suddenly stopped, as if he still had something to say, but he was a little hesitant. Seeing this, Li Shimin naturally understood the meaning, and said with a smile, "But it doesn't hurt to say it."

"Your Majesty, when our dynasty was founded, Tubo sent troops to plunder the state capitals of Jiannan Province many times. even allied with the Turks and invaded Ganzhou, Liangzhou and other places, so that the people of these places were miserable. Although after several major battles, the two sides were reconciled, but it was inevitable that there would be conflicts in the future. The minister thought that if he could take advantage of the civil strife in Tibet, my Tang Dynasty would send troops to help the new monarch ascend the throne. First, it can deter the aristocratic forces in Tubo. Second, it can also deter the new monarch Songtsen Gampo. As for the third, if I, Datang, have the grace to quell the rebellion in Tibet, why worry that he will not submit to His Majesty. ”

"Hahahaha, well said! What Aiqing said is exactly what I wanted. Tubo is not as eyeing me as the Turks, although it is not as eyeing me as the Turks, but it is a trouble after all. What I want to see is more than just reconciliation between the two sides. I want to make it submit to my Tang Dynasty, and I will never dare to infringe on it. ”

When Li Shimin said this, he stood up suddenly. The hundred officials below immediately knelt down and shouted long live, but no one objected. As Li Jing said, sending troops to attack Tibet at this time is harmful and unprofitable. From another point of view, if it is to send troops to help the new king of Tibet ascend the throne and suppress civil strife, it will be beneficial and harmless.

Fang, Du, and the eldest grandson Wuji also nodded after listening to Li Jing's words, and did not hide the appreciation on their faces.

"Okay, since all Aiqing has no opinion, then I will make an order. Li Jing, the secretary of the Criminal Department, was immediately transferred to the Ministry of War, and was appointed as the head of the march of the South Jiandao Road, and coordinated all matters related to the dispatch of troops to Tibet. Shangshu Province assisted from the side, and it was necessary to transfer enough money, food, and soldiers within three days. ”

……

Not to mention what Li Shimin was planning above the court, half a day later, Lu Xin opened his eyes on the dragon head plain. In front of him, a fist-sized golden light flickered in the void. After two breaths, he changed back to the appearance of the Yin Yang Wandering Immortal Sword.

"Alas, it still doesn't work! Master, with my current cultivation, I can only allow the Youxian Sword to maintain a change of nine breaths at most. And it can't be made any smaller. ”

"It's okay, I've grown a little bit. At least for now, you'll be able to wield one-tenth of the power of this artifact. Let's go, I'm afraid that Chang'an City will be very lively tonight, and it's time to go down the mountain. ”