Chapter 3: Glitz (6 I)

A battle cut off the two most threatening heroes to the Tang Dynasty, and this result surprised everyone. On the day the messenger arrived in Chang'an, Li Yuan had already dispersed the early dynasty. Seeing the good news of Li Shimin's handwriting, he hurriedly ordered someone to leave the palace and invited the right servant Pei Lian, the Ministry of Civil Affairs Shang Xiaoyu, the middle servant Wen Yanbo, and the inner Shishe Feng Lun to their palace to discuss the next many matters.

After reading the good news, Li Yuan's four confidants and important ministers groaned for a long time. It wasn't until Li Yuan couldn't help but urge that Feng Lun took the lead, bowed down to Li Yuan, and congratulated Datang on finally being able to dominate the world.

"It's still early. There are still several counties in the south of the Yangtze River that have not yet been pacified, and Wang Shichong also has a lot of remnants in Henan to resist the city. As for the Hebei side, there are even more troubles. Dou Jiande has always won the hearts of the people, although he was captured by my Tang Dynasty in the first battle, whether he can successfully take over the counties of Hebei will also take some trouble! Li Yuan's heart was already happy, but on the surface, he still maintained the calmness that an emperor should have, "I didn't listen to any congratulatory words when I brought the four of you here. Those words will be kept for tomorrow morning, there are many people, and there are many tricks, and it will be more pleasant for me to listen to. I hope that a few of you will come up with a charter as soon as possible, strike while the iron is hot, and keep the benefits of this battle! ”

"Your Majesty can win without forgetting the things of the world, it is really the blessing of the Tang Dynasty!" Feng Lun's best stunt is to slap the sycophants, arched his hand again, and praised with a smile.

"Go!" Li Yuan scolded him with a smile, "Don't talk nonsense, if you have any ideas, just say it quickly!" ”

"A minister's idea is not necessarily a good idea. I can only make a remnant brick and see if I can bring out a piece of beautiful jade for Your Majesty! Feng Lun looked at the other three colleagues and responded with a smile.

"Bricks or tiles, throw them out first! Hidden in the stomach, it can't be sold for a few bucks! Li Yuan knew that Feng Lun was so virtuous, so he shook his head lightly, laughed and joked in a low voice.

"Then the minister is a trick!" Feng Lun thought about it and responded slowly. "Actually, over there in the south of the Yangtze River, there is the king of Hejian, and there is no need for Your Majesty to work too hard. The few remaining puppets who did not know the times were based in a small population and very poor property. It will take time for the King of the River to destroy them! ”

"Hmm!" Li Yuan nodded lightly. Fang Cai's juxtaposition of Jiangnan and Hebei in his words is nothing more than a deliberate kind of modesty. In fact, in his mind, he did not take seriously the secessionist forces in the south that had not yet surrendered. Since ancient times, the population density in the north has been much higher than that in the south of the Yangtze River. Although a large number of Central Plains clothes crossed to the south during the two Jin Dynasty, the scope of prosperity under its influence only expanded to Changsha. Further south, the weather is getting hotter and hotter, the woods are getting denser, miasma is rampant, and mosquitoes are rampant. As a green forest den on the raiding side, it is okay, and if you want to achieve great things, it is not enough to rely on.

"Wang Shichong has the remnants under his command, and Your Majesty does not need to worry." Feng Lun looked at Li Yuan's face and continued to analyze, "Wang Shichong is a descendant of Persian Hu merchants, and he has always only married people with interests, regardless of knowledge and conduct. If something is good at the top, it will be effective at the bottom. Based on this calculation, Wang Shichong's courtiers, I am afraid that the people who followed him at the beginning were also a flying Huang Tengda. Now that he has become a prisoner and can't give benefits to others, who is willing to be loyal to him? The reason why he is reluctant to comply with the mandate of heaven must be to wait for the price to sell! ”

"In Qing's opinion, the price offered by Shimin is not high enough?" Li Yuan was amused by this novel statement, shook his head, and asked loudly.

"His Royal Highness King Qin is talented, elegant, and his vision will probably be higher!" Feng Lun thought about it and responded with a smile.

"Well, I'm afraid that I didn't even leave a way for people to surrender, and I just blindly thought about giving in with my strength! I am this son! Li Yuan laughed again, shaking his head while laughing. More than mighty, more than mighty. You must know that fighting the world is not just by virtue of might to get what you want! ”

"King Qin is a peerless general. It's hard to find an opponent in the world! The right servant shot Pei Lin and took half a step forward, smiling and praising him.

"Qing also admires King Qin's martial arts?" It was rare to see Pei Lin speaking for Li Shimin, Li Yuan was stunned and asked with a smile.

"The minister never said that King Qin is not a general!" Pei Lin nodded and responded with a smile. Then he turned his gaze to Feng Lun, waiting for him to continue to share his worries for Li Yuan.

Throwing a grateful glance at the other party, Feng Lun continued: "Since Jiangnan and Henan are decided, the chaos in Hebei, Your Majesty has no need to bother others anymore. ordered the king of Qin to dispatch troops and horses to attack Hebei, and responded with Luo Yi and Li Zhongjian. The three-way army echoes from north to south, how can the remnants of the Dou family's army be able to rise to the storm! ”

He took refuge in the Tang Dynasty after the collapse of Yu Wenhua and others, and his qualifications and popularity are not as far as the other three. I was interrupted by Pei Lin interjecting at the critical moment just now, and I thought that I would make a wedding dress for someone else today. Unexpectedly, Pei Lin just helped him beat the side drum, and he didn't plan to steal his limelight at all. So he shook his spirit and offered the best strategy he could think of.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the words fell, Shang Xiaoyu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs immediately objected loudly, "No, King Qin has been leading the army for several months, and he has not been rested. The matter of Hebei should not let him suffer! ”

"What do you mean by this, Lord Xiao?" Feng Lun, who was on the rise, was a little dazed, turned around, and asked with a frown.

"Nothing. I'm afraid that King Qin will be tired and hurt the relationship between His Majesty and his son! Shang Xiaoyu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs smiled and replied indifferently.

"There will be no fighting. A group of defeated generals, protecting the women of Tongzi Village, can they still stump His Royal Highness King Qin? Feng Lun was extremely unconvinced, frowning and retorting. Among Li Yuan's important ministers, he admired Pei Lin the most, the latter's roundness amazed him, and the latter's grace and generosity also made him unreachable. But for Xiao Yu, who is more upright and less flexible, Feng Lun is not very convinced. In his opinion, the other party can go to the core of Datang's power, but it only relies on the bloodline of Houliang. In terms of real ability, it is much worse than Pei Lian, and even compared to himself, it is slightly insufficient.

"It's hard to say!" Shang Xiaoyu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs straightened up, and he really didn't give people any face. "Lord Feng only saw the brave side of King Qin, but he forgot what His Majesty said just now, His Royal Highness King Qin is more powerful than gentle."

That's just His Majesty's self-effacing words, and you dare to take it seriously? Feng Lun shouted in his heart, but he didn't dare to say that. After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his voice a little to justify, "The quick knife is a mess!" If you change to someone else, how can you have such a deterrent power as His Royal Highness King Qin! ”

"I'm afraid that the knife will cut off the water and the wildfire will burn the forest!" Xiao Yu shrugged his shoulders slightly, disdainful of Feng Lun's statement. "Dou Jiande is in Hebei, and he has always adopted the strategy of General Cheng Mingzhen. Reclamation of fields, construction of canals and roads, poverty alleviation, and suppression of the powerful. As His Majesty just said, the people of Hebei have always remembered their kindness. Therefore, if you want to pacify Hebei as soon as possible, you need to send a person who is proficient in civil affairs and has a magnificent bearing. And you shouldn't blindly use strong! Otherwise, it may backfire! ”

"Lord Xiao's words, do you mean that His Royal Highness King Qin is not proficient in civil affairs?" Feng Lun finally caught a handle in the other party's words, and fought back angrily.

"King Qin's strength lies in Wu Strategy." Xiao Yu glanced at Pei Lian, and secretly scolded the other party in his heart. If you don't want to explain something, you have to force yourself to be this wicked person. "As for government affairs, it's still a little immature. Moreover, King Qin has always had a reputation for protecting his shortcomings, and he has a group of fierce generals under him, all of whom are very arrogant. When I went to Hebei, relying on the identity of the winner, it was inevitable that I would occasionally do something out of the ordinary! Once the popular uprising is provoked, I am afraid that today's military exploits in Henan will be nullified! ”

"It hasn't happened yet, and Lord Xiao is too alarmist!" Feng Lun admired Xiao Yu's boldness and daring, but it was difficult to agree with his opinion. He smiled and pouted in retort.

"Your Majesty, please!" Shang Xiaoyu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs did not entangle with him, bowed to Li Yuanyi, and said loudly.

Hearing this, Li Yuan couldn't help but sigh slightly, "Yes, King Qin has worked hard, and it is indeed time to rest for a few days." But on my side, I really can't send more suitable people for a while. The crown prince is the right choice, but for now I need him to go to Longyou. What ...... others?"

"Actually, there is no need for the prince to personally intervene in this matter!" Wen Yanbo, who had not participated in the discussion, thought about it and interjected in a low voice.

"Oh?" Li Yuan turned his head curiously. Wen Yanbo's temperament is the same as that of his brother Wen Daya, who is cautious in words and quick in action. I don't know where the sun came out today, but he actually took the initiative to intervene.

"Li Yi, the former lord of the minister!" Wen Yanbo arched his hand to Li Yuan to apologize, "Actually, it's not a suitable person." Even if King Qin goes north, Yandi Tiger Ben still don't move lightly! One is that the northern Goguryeo has ill intentions, and second, the king of Youzhou is not a person who sympathizes with the people. ”

"Luo Manzi was born in the army. I can't wait to use the military to rule the people. I know that! Li Yuan smiled and echoed in a low voice. If I send him south, I am afraid that everywhere I pass will be swept away by his tiger ben like locusts! ”

Listening to Li Yuan's funny words, Pei Lin and the others all laughed. After laughing, the atmosphere in the room was immediately not as tense as Fang Cai. Wen Yanbo thought for a moment and continued: "Actually, King Boling is the best choice. It's a pity that his fief is big enough. Recently, it has been using troops to the north, and it is estimated that it will not be able to free up its hands. For the rest, the minister thought that if he wanted to stabilize Hebei, it was better to send people from Hebei! One is familiar with the local customs and customs, and the other is that he can talk to the rest of Dou Jiande. ”

Li Zhongjian, the king of Boling, is a distant nephew picked up by Li Yuanbai, although he did not contribute much when he fought the world in the Tang Dynasty, but because of his prestige, he also added a lot of advantages to the Li family. Over the years, he has been the most powerful ally of the Li family. However, now that the Li family is about to dominate the world, the relationship between the two sides must be reconsidered, and it is very exquisite. Therefore, Li Yuan would not release this tiger again until he had no choice but to do so.

It is estimated that King Boling also knew Li Yuan's thoughts, and he had been using troops to the north in the name of chasing and killing the Turks before the foundation of the Li family was stable. For several years in a row, it is said that the sphere of influence has reached the area of the Songhua River and Heilongjiang River, and the land of the Murowei and the Tatar people has been swallowed.

Wen Yanbo took the opportunity to mention King Boling today, and he had to admonish him with twisted words, reminding Li Yuan to pay more attention. Then Li Yuan was also quite scratching his head at his nephew who had picked it up. He had the intention of recruiting him into the high-ranking official of the Beijing Division, and Houlu was raised in captivity like he did with Du Fuwei, but he was afraid that he would add a big mess because of the evil of Boling's elite. If we continue to let it go, I am afraid that it will be difficult to solve the problem in the future. After thinking about it, he sighed, waved his hand and said, "Today, let's talk about the attack on Hebei first, and don't mention anything else." My virtuous nephew has always known how to advance and retreat, and I guess he won't embarrass me as an uncle. Moreover, the territory over the large and small rivers was not under the jurisdiction of the Central Plains. Rather than letting Mu Wei and Yan Ya spoil him, it is better to cheapen him. After all, he is also the nephew of the Li family, so he is not an external trouble. ”

"Your Majesty is right!" Shang Xiaoyu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs nodded, and echoed with a smile, "Jin Ya and Muwei are both Turkic vassals, and if King Boling can subdue them, it can be regarded as cutting off the Turkic wings for the Tang Dynasty." There's nothing wrong with that. Since I want all countries to come to the court, I can't even have this bit of open-mindedness! ”

"yes!" Li Yuan sighed, then nodded slightly, "It is estimated that as long as I reign for one day, King Boling will not have any dissenting intentions." If my descendants can't even restrain the vassal kings of a corner land by virtue of the huge Central Plains, they can only blame themselves for their lack of interest, and they can't complain about me! This matter has been revealed, where did we just go? This little Wen is all messed up! ”

"Wenzhong is not messing around!" Shang Xiaoyu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs smiled and relieved Wen Yanbo of the siege, "The minister thinks, what Wen Zhong just said is that Hebei people are attacking Hebei. Right! ”

"What Lord Xiao said is very true! The minister's mouth is clumsy, so the words don't make sense! Wen Yanbo thanked Xiao Yu, and then laughed at himself.

Hearing this, a person's name immediately flashed in front of Li Yuan's eyes, "According to what you say, I really think of a candidate." Cheng Mingzhen has made a lot of achievements recently. He, the governor of Zhaozhou, has been fighting outside, in name only. I will be a favor and let him return home, what do you think is good?! ”

"General Cheng is indeed suitable for stabilizing the place, but his prestige and official position are too low. I'm afraid it's hard to reassure the rest of Dou Jiande! Although he appreciated Cheng Mingzhen's talent, Pei Lin still spoke out to stop him.

"The minister also thinks that the governor of Zhaozhou is a little insufficient!" After Feng Lun was unwilling to live in the people, he hurriedly took the opportunity to say, "But Your Majesty also thought that he would be transferred to Jingshi to ask if there was any specific good strategy to stabilize Hebei?" Anyway, His Majesty King Qin has just captured Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, and he still needs to sit in Luoyang for some days. When the counties of Henan settle down, is it not too late for His Majesty to issue an order to discuss with King Qin the candidates for sweeping Hebei? Otherwise, His Royal Highness the King of Qin defeated Dou Jiande after a hard battle, and if His Majesty sends others to clean up Hebei, I am afraid that the generals of the Qin Palace's mansion will be confused! ”

"Hmm!" Li Yuan frowned and groaned in a low voice. Although Feng Lun has been looking forward to Li Shimin today, his words do have some truth. Some time ago, because of his vigorous support, he had already made the people of the world and the generals under his command indignant. If I send someone else to pick peaches, I am afraid that the estrangement between father and son will be deepened.

Thinking of this layer, he decided to put the candidates of Dangping Hebei alone. Let's deal with the aftermath of Henan first. "I've always heard Xuan Zhen mention Cheng Mingzhen, but I haven't seen him yet. Later, when I was a child, I will prepare the purpose. Transfer him to the capital face saint. He has been working under Dou Jiande, and he must be very familiar with the situation in Hebei. I will talk to him first, and after I have a bottom of the specific situation in Hebei, I will decide on the candidate to attack Hebei. ”

Now that Li Yuan has decided to postpone the matter, it is not good for a few courtiers to be long-winded. He bowed his hand, indicating that he accepted the arrangement. Just looking at everyone's expressions, Li Yuan guessed that some people were not very satisfied with this arrangement. He smiled wryly and continued, "The people of the world always give me unexpected surprises when they do things. first sought to level the Xue clan in Longxi, and this time he fought hard to capture two heroes. I must reward him well this time, and you say how to reward him. By the way, there are also Qin Shubao, Cheng Zhijie, Luo Shixin and others, who are worthy of being famous generals in Wagang back then. The people of the world have won them, and they are like a tiger with wings! ”

"For the general's life, all he wants is the fame and wealth of himself and his family, the king of Qin has nothing to be crowned again, and it is better to shade his son!" Pei Lin smiled and responded first. "Qin, Cheng, Luo, Hou, and Wei Chi are peerless generals, and they should be given the position of governor. Each leader the army and go out to shepherd the Quartet for the Son of Heaven! ”

"Master Pei's cloud is the words of Lao Cheng to seek the country, and the minister seconded it!" Xiao Yu frowned, and immediately responded.

"The minister seconded the proposal!" Wen Yanbo hesitated, knowing that in this way, King Qin's subordinates seemed to be beautiful, but the strength of King Qin's Mansion would inevitably be thinned, but in line with the principle of taking into account the overall situation, he also bowed down to respond.

Li Yuan nodded lightly, and he understood very well why Pei Lin suggested this. But before the world is calm, he doesn't want to talk about the treasure knife hidden and let it rust, "You Aiqing has a point. Qin Shubao, Cheng Zhijie, Luo Shixin and others made great contributions, but the officials were under Wang Junkuo, and they were really wronged. In this way, give them the title of chief manager first, and discuss where they will be sent to sit in the town. For the time being, he is still obeying orders under the tent of King Qin, so that there is a need for emergencies. ”

"Then there are too many stewards under King Qin's account!" Xiao Yu thought about it and reminded in a low voice.

"In the past, there was a great general king in the Great Sui, and the Hus were tied one after another. Today, I Datang, how can I not set up the same position? Li Yuan smiled and waved his hand very confidently, "Set up the Heavenly Ce General's Mansion and control the general managers." On the prince's side, ten rates were added to the East Palace, and each rate led the three mansions. Defend Gyeonggi for me! ”

"Other meritorious personnel, refer to the merit book sent by the people, and a few of you look at the arrangement. In short, don't chill people's hearts. By the way, Shimin focused on recommending Cheng Mingzhen this time, saying that when Shan Xiongxin attacked, he had sacrificed his life to save him! I can't help but return this favor. Pei Qing took a look, in addition to letting him go back to Zhaozhou to settle, what benefits could I give him? ”

With Cheng Mingzhen's position at the time, seeing Shan Xiongxin kill and only care about his own escape, it was really a lifeless act. He was just doing his duty as a courtier at that time, and he didn't need Li Yuan's gratitude at all. But Li Yuan turned the topic here in public, naturally signaling that the discussion just now could be ended for the time being, and everyone should not beak here.

Although Pei Lin was very dissatisfied with Li Yuan's way of delaying contradictions and blindly making mud, he didn't want to interfere too much, so he had to smile and follow the other party's meaning and said: "General Cheng's greatest wish is probably to clear his father's name!" ”

"That's easy! Although the person can't be found, I can still give the honor. The case of General He Ruo back then was originally an unjust case. Shi Wen, you will draw up the will for me again and praise General Cheng's loyalty and righteousness. By the way, the charges of General He Ruo have been cleared up, so as to set the record straight! ”

Correcting the mistakes of the previous dynasty is nothing more than a gesture of effort, which will not offend anyone, and will not have to pay any price. So Xiao Yu and the others were happy to do it, and agreed with a smile.

"Raise his rank to a higher rank? Even though he's your protégé, you don't have to be so suspicious. Otherwise, it will make people say that I am occluded! Li Yuan turned his head to Pei Lin and continued.

Cheng Mingzhen was single-handedly pulled into the Tang camp by Pei Lin back then, so he can be regarded as Pei Lone's descendant. Li Yuan repeatedly showed favor to him today, obviously showing appeasement to Pei Lian. After all, they only took the risk of offending the King of Qin, and wholeheartedly considered the stability of the Tang Dynasty. He may not listen to his advice, but he shall not be coldly faithful.

"General Cheng is already a county marquis, and if he is promoted again, he will have to be crowned a prince." Pei Lin smiled, shook his head and said. "In this way, it is too easy for me to be the county magistrate of Datang. He is more nostalgic, and King Qin has captured many Hebei generals this time. The minister estimated that General Cheng would have to go to His Royal Highness the King of Qin at this time to ask for favors for the sake of the deceased. His Majesty, instead of rewarding him lavishly, might as well give the King of Qin a holy decree, ordering him to pick up those who have not committed obvious crimes among the captives and deal with them leniently. On the one hand, it can make Cheng Mingzhen grateful, and on the other hand, it can also let the rest of the Dou family's army see that my Datang is tolerant. ”

"The county duke is the county duke, isn't the life of King Qin worth a county duke?" Li Yuan smiled again and waved his hand, "As for the matter of leniency with the prisoners, I can't force it. You send a letter to King Qin privately and give him some advice! ”

"As Your Majesty wishes!" Pei Lin thought about it and gave up his hand.

"Henan, Hebei, ......" discussed with the four important ministers to deal with some imminent and important matters, Li Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a breath, "When I was suppressing bandits in Hedong that day, I never thought that there would be today. The world is about to restore peace, and this is all the credit of the Qing and the soldiers in front. If after the four seas are united, you and I can do what the Great Sui has not done, then you and I will be worthy of this life! ”

"Your Majesty is referring to Liaodong?" Feng Lun saw the opportunity quickly and quickly understood what Li Yuan meant.

"Hmm!" Li Yuan nodded lightly. "I watched 300,000 troops die there. Although it was not because of my fault, the revenge of the soldiers, I will have to get it back for them sooner or later! ”

As he spoke, his gaze slowly became sharp. It is not because the people's hearts are not satisfied, but because they are not satisfied, but as a general who witnessed the bloody battle in Liaodong, he made a promise in his heart.

Li Yuan never dared to forget this promise.