Yang Guozhong said: "Your Majesty, the Tubo people are not so bold, but it is precisely because of Wang Yuan's assassination that there is chaos in the city of Chengdu. At that time, Wang Yuan's life was in danger, and someone had to come out to preside over the overall situation, so he had to order someone to inform Song Jiangong, who protected Wang Ji and Luo Xixiao to go to Yazhou to inspect. Song Jiangong is the soldier and horse envoy of the Jiannan Army, and he can only preside over the overall situation at this time. Moreover, in order to stabilize the situation in Chengdu and arrest the assassins in the city, Song Jiangong had to bring back 2,000 soldiers and horses. Song Jiangong also reported to the Ministry of War, and His Majesty asked for a look. ”

Yang Guozhong presented Song Jiangong's recital, Xuanzong took it and read it carefully, nodded and said: "I see, in that situation, it is indeed necessary for Song Jiangong to take the soldiers and horses to Chengdu to stabilize the situation." Song Jiangong said that his departure was agreed by Wang Ji and Luo Xizao. It seems that I blamed Wang Yuan, and Wang Yuan is not guilty. ”

Yang Guozhong said softly: "Yes, Wang Yuan is also embarrassed, he didn't expect that he would be assassinated, and the two Qincha were killed by the Tubo people just patrolling the border." If there is a sin, it is also a sin of helplessness. In fact, when Song Jiangong left, he warned Wang Ji and Luo Xizao, asking them to be careful, and advised them not to go deep into the border to avoid accidents. Because Wang Ji and Luo Xizao said before that they would enter the desert and cross the border of the Tang Dynasty into the territory of Tubo, and they also said that they would return to Beijing with the sand and soil in Tubo and show it to His Majesty in person. Now it seems that Wang Ji and Luo Xixiao did not listen, they not only went deep into the hinterland of the desert, but also lost their way and strayed to the left side of Bison City on the border of the Tibetans, which was discovered by the Tibetans, which led to such an accident. From Yichen's point of view, this matter has nothing to do with Wang Yuanke. ”

Xuanzong sighed and said, "It's very confused, what are you doing?" How can you break in the desert, Wang Ji is really confused, in order to show his courage, there is no need to do this. ”

Yang Guozhong nodded and said, "Yes, it's a pity." Just died at the hands of the Tibetans. All I can say is that fortunately, seven guards from Nanya escaped, and they met the local people of Yazhou who went into the desert to look for sand scorpions and sand snakes, and they escaped with their help. They told the process in person, and the six stewards of the government hall were all present and left their written confessions. Otherwise, there must be many courtiers who will secretly spread some rumors against Wang Yuan. The fact that these seven people were able to come out alive also clarified the facts and process of the matter. ”

Xuanzong frowned and said, "Who will spread rumors, and what rumors will be spread?" ”

Yang Guozhong said: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that several officials of the imperial court were attacked and killed by the Xi and Khitans in Fanyang? At that time, many people spread rumors that An Lushan did it. If it weren't for His Majesty's trust in An Lushan, An Lushan would have been affected by these rumors at that time. Some people just like conspiracy theories, and they are afraid that the world will not be chaotic. ”

Xuanzong nodded and said, "What you said is that since the process of this matter is clear, then similar rumors are not allowed to circulate. Guozhong, in the name of the political affairs hall, sent an official letter to all ministries, listing in detail the circumstances of this matter, so as to set the record straight. If anyone dares to make a fuss about this, I will not spare it. ”

Yang Guozhong bowed and said, "The minister obeys the order." ”

"Wang Ji and Luo Xixiao died for the country, and the court should also give them some praise and some sympathy for their families. Lux, you go and do this for me, I write two elegiac couplets for you to send to their house, and reward some bereavement things. The corpse can't come back, and it will be buried ceremoniously in a well-dressed mound. ”

Gao Lishi bowed and said, "The old slave obeys." ”

Yang Guozhong breathed a sigh of relief, took out Wang Yuan's recital again, and said, "Your Majesty, you should take a look at Wang Yuan's recital." ”

Xuanzong waved his hand and said: "He is not at fault, so you don't need to watch this sin." ”

Yang Guozhong hurriedly said: "It's not just a matter of asking for guilt, Wang Yuan's recital also said two things, Your Majesty should take a look." The minister felt that the things proposed by Wang Yuan were very important. ”

Xuanzong said with a sigh: "You can read it to me, I will sit and listen." ”

Yang Guozhong hurriedly agreed, unfolded the recital and read: "The criminal minister Wang Yuan is playing." Long live my emperor, long live. The ministers have been blessed with the grace of God, and they have failed to fulfill their duties, and they are ashamed and have no land. A few days ago, the two Qincha sent by the imperial court to Jiannan were attacked and killed by the Tubo people outside the border of Yazhou, all of which were the fault of the ministers. Liu Jun was specially ordered to bring this invitation to the guilty music to be played on my emperor, and the guilty minister Wang Yuan was ashamed and honestly afraid. ”

Xuanzong smiled and said: "This Wang Yuan doesn't say a word of shirk, and takes all the responsibility on himself." ”

Yang Guozhong continued: "...... The minister's sin is the minister's personal sin, but Jiannan Road is the southwest gateway of my Tang Dynasty, and the minister does not dare to neglect the country's major affairs because of his personal sin, so he will report the two urgent matters to His Majesty again, and make a decision to His Majesty as soon as possible. First, regarding the matter of peace with Nanzhao, the imperial court has not had a will to appease it for a long time, and even Luo Feng and others of Nanzhao Guoge are panicked. The terms and reasons for the peace negotiation have been known to the imperial court a few days ago, and it is imperative to appease Nanzhao, otherwise the soldiers and horses of Jiannan will be pinned down in the area of Yaozhou to prevent changes. This move is a waste of troops, money, and food, and it also runs counter to the overall situation. ”

Xuanzong frowned and said: "The opinion of the peace council of the Southern Zhao Kingdom is in the political affairs hall, how is the discussion between your political affairs hall and the officials of the six departments?" ”

Yang Guozhong said: "Li Xiangguo is recuperating at home, and the matter has been stagnant. ”

Xuanzong nodded and said, "Keep reading." ”

Yang Guozhong obeyed the order and continued to read: "...... Now it is an urgent matter to reconcile with Nanzhao and negotiate peace, and after the defeat of the Tubo State and Wangzhou, it has been eyeing the state of fierce soldiers and horses, and the borders of Yazhou, Netzhou, and Yaozhou have all reported the tentative figure of the Tubo soldiers and horses. Being in Jiannan, the minister knew that he must not be the enemy of Nanzhao and Tubo at the same time, otherwise with the strength of the Jiannan army, he would not be able to compete with the two enemies. This is the second thing that the minister said. The minister suggested that His Majesty should announce the Nanzhao as soon as possible, reach a peace agreement, stabilize the Nanzhao Pavilion Luofeng, and put an end to Tubo's move to win over the Nanzhao again. ”

This move can stabilize the relationship with Nanzhao, and second, it can liberate the Jiannan army. Judging from the current situation, the minister believes that it is necessary to increase the garrison of troops and horses on the border of Yazhou and Netzhou, build beacons on the border line, and give early warning in time. Just in case. …… The country of tigers and wolves in Tubo disregarded the kindness of our Tang Dynasty, constantly harassed the border of our Tang Dynasty, and killed our court members this time, which is a heinous crime, which is unbearable. For a day in the southwest, the Tubo people will never be allowed to run rampant. But the minister also had to ask His Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible, so as to facilitate the situation in Jiannan. ”

After Yang Guozhong finished reading the fold, he held it up, and Gao Lishi stepped forward to hold it and handed it to Xuanzong. Xuanzong frowned, silently read the fold, and said in a deep voice: "According to Wang Yuan's tone, it seems to be threatened by the heavy troops of the Tubo State. Didn't the Tubo people really want to attack Jiannan? ”

Yang Guozhong said: "The minister thinks it's not that serious, and the minister thinks that Wang Yuan means to prevent trouble before it happens." There is no trust and peace between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet, and there may be a war. When the Southern Zhao Kingdom was in turmoil, the Tubo State openly mobilized 30,000 troops to attack Wangzhou, which was already a clear revelation of the wolf's ambitions. After Wang Yuan broke the 30,000 Tibetan army, the Tubo State sent an envoy with tough words and was reprimanded from Chang'an by His Majesty, and the Tubo monarchs and ministers would be ashamed. With the nature of the Tibetan people who will repay their eyes, it is very likely that they will wait for an opportunity to retaliate. This time, Wang Ji and Luo Xixiao strayed into Bison City and were killed, which shows that the Tubo people have no scruples about my feelings and have great hostility. Wang Yuan probably realized that he needed to solve the matter of Nanzhao as soon as possible because of this, and freed up his troops and horses to deploy on the front line of Yaozhou, Yazhou, and Yaozhou in case of accidents. ”

Xuanzong nodded and said: "The small country of Tubo is crazy, I'm afraid that it will really do something out of the ordinary." Wang Yuan's concern is not excessive. He is the envoy of Jiannan Festival, and if the Tubo people break through the Jiannan City, it is his responsibility. He must have been in a hurry to get his troops in place. ”

Yang Guozhong said: "Yes, now the army is all in Yaozhou, and it is necessary to prevent the recurrence of Nanzhao, so Wang Yuan has no troops at hand." Otherwise, how could he be overstretched and lead to his assassination and killing? Your Majesty, the minister thought that the matter of peace should be implemented immediately, and sent a decree to send a messenger to Nanzhao to give the position of King of Nanzhao to reward Luo Feng Nanzhao, stabilize the south side of Jiannan Road, and let Wang Yuan free up his hands to guard against the prying eyes of the Tubo people. ”

Xuanzong nodded and said: "I am approved, send someone to send the terms of the peace agreement to Li Xiangguo's mansion, let him sign it immediately, and immediately send someone to Nanzhao to announce the decree." ”

Yang Guozhong was overjoyed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. ”

Xuanzong waved his hand lightly and said: "The peace agreement with Nanzhao is a good thing, not to mention that Wang Yuan talked about such favorable conditions for my Datang, and he must quickly reach a peace agreement." It's just that your political affairs hall is dragging on, and I don't know what Li Linfu is thinking? It's always procrastinating. ”

Yang Guozhong didn't want to talk too much, it was enough to put the responsibility on Li Linfu, Xuanzong didn't like people to constantly slander others in front of him, Yang Guozhong knew this very well.

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that if the Tubo people really have a covetous heart, I am afraid that the matter of increasing the number of troops in the Jiannan Army must really be seriously considered. The Jiannan army had 30,000 soldiers, and the border with the Tubo State was as many as 1,000 miles. Although the soldiers and horses of the Tubo State were also limited, the Jiannan Army was stationed in three places, Yaozhou, Netzhou, and Yazhou, each of which only had 10,000 troops, which was obviously insufficient. If it really starts, the troops will definitely not be enough. The minister thought that the Jiannan army should increase the number of troops by at least 20,000, and there were 50,000 soldiers and horses, so they could barely defend it. It's just a defense, and it's not enough to attack. ”

Xuanzong said: "You have raised the matter of increasing the number of troops many times, but this matter is not trivial. The envoys of each section were asking for an increase in the number of soldiers, and the burden on the imperial court was too great. This year, Fan Yang Pinglu; The two places asked for an increase of 10,000 troops each, and the imperial court would spend an extra million yuan to raise troops for An Lushan, and now the southwest will increase by 20,000, how can the imperial court afford it? ”

Yang Guozhong smacked his lips and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers are not too talkative, the two sections of soldiers and horses under the jurisdiction of An Lushan have enjoyed 130,000 people, if it is still said that the defense of the Turkic Khitan is stretched, it is too much." An Lushan spent a lot of materials to arm the Xi people, didn't the Xi people give anything in return? I have to take some responsibility. It stands to reason that the Xi people are obedient, and An Lushan should reduce the number of troops, so why should it be increased? I disagree with this. Besides, Jiannan Dao is now shouldering the responsibility of defending Tibet, and it is the main target of the Tubo people's attack, not increasing troops in Jiannan, but increasing troops in Pinglu Fanyang, isn't this putting the cart before the horse? ”

Xuanzong thought for a while and said: "The imperial court uses money everywhere, and it is impossible to increase troops everywhere. An increase of 20,000 troops a year is already the limit, and it cannot be more. ”

Yang Guozhong said: "Then allocate the 20,000 soldiers required by An Lushan to the Jiannan Army, wouldn't it solve the problem." ”

Xuanzong frowned and said, "An Lushan will be unhappy." I can't open this mouth. ”

Yang Guozhong said: "If Your Majesty doesn't want to mention it, let the ministers be wicked." The minister is also the secretary of the military department, and the minister is not afraid that he will be unhappy. ”