When "Make the Stopper" was still talked about by Lingzhou officials, Xie Yi and Di Zhixun had already entered Li Daozong's study.

They need to communicate how to deal with emergencies, and Xie Yi and Di Zhixun want to know the specific situation of Xue Yantuo.

What is the current situation on the grassland, Li Daozong is stationed in Lingzhou, and another urgent task is to collect intelligence.

This is also the reason why Li Shimin told him to visit Li Daozong when passing through Lingzhou.

Following the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, Xie Yi came.

Of course, there was a little episode in the middle, and the attack on Li Jinghuan and Li Anning made the strings in their minds even tighter.

"Lord Wang, is there any latest news on the grassland?" Dickinson got straight to the point and asked directly.

Li Daozong said: "There are many, this Yi Nan's birthday can be regarded as the most jubilant and lively thing on the grassland since the demise of Jieli. ”

Xie Yi quipped, "Really? So the people on the grassland have lived a hard life in the past ten years? ”

"It's probably a good thing for the people, but the bitter ones are those grassland nobles, and after a while, they finally can't hold it back."

Li Daozong sighed: "You may not know that Xue Yantuo didn't celebrate his birthday very much, but Yi Nan did a big job this time, obviously trying to take advantage of this opportunity to have a plan. ”

"Since Xue Yantuo has no habit of celebrating his birthday, why should the imperial court ......" Xie Yi coughed lightly and said leisurely: "In order to give grace to the man, the imperial court is really painstaking." ”

"Since the four years of Zhenguan's use of troops in the eastern Turks, the imperial court has lost a lot of troops, and the money and food have been squandered."

Li Daozong sighed: "In addition, there have been repeated provocations by Tuyuhun and other states in the west, and the imperial court has no choice but to try to be more patient in the north. ”

"I'm afraid that raising tigers will be a problem, if Yi Nan doesn't understand His Majesty's benevolence and holiness. On the contrary, I think that my Datang is weak and can be bullied, which is not good. ”

"Don't worry, Your Majesty knows it in your heart, otherwise why do you need to let the two princes go all the way to the envoy?"

Li Daozong said: "In addition, I might as well tell you the truth, Your Majesty has already decreed, once Xue Yantuo is in turmoil, the government soldiers of Ling and Xia Zhuzhou will be mobilized......"

Li Daozong did not continue, but the implication was already very clear, he must have obtained Li Shimin's permission. If it is a change. The garrisons of the border states can be mobilized, and the king of Jiangxia County is the commander.

In this way, this mission ......

Xie Yi couldn't help but feel a sense of being fierce and unlucky, His Majesty Li Er really found himself a dangerous chore!

When I was in Chang'an, I didn't talk much to myself, and now that I'm on the thief ship, it's too late to retreat.

Alas, it really doesn't feel good to be pitted by His Majesty the Emperor.

"Lord Wang, in that case, please prepare as soon as possible and wait at the border. In case there is anything, the lower official will turn around and run back as soon as possible, and you will be troubled to answer it when the time comes. ”

As soon as Xie Yi's words came out, Li Daozong glanced at him with "contempt". He said in a low voice: "Xie Yi, although I am prepared for this, if I can avoid war, it is better not to go to war as much as possible!" ”

Belch......

"Dare to ask if this is what Your Majesty means or what the prince means?" Xie Yi thought to himself. The impression of the Tang Empire is strong, and His Majesty Li Er is also a strong person, the kind who is more interested in expanding the territory.

In the face of aggressiveness. Xue Yantuo, who is quite threatening, how can he swallow his anger? It's unreasonable!

Li Daozong somewhat misunderstood Xie Yi's meaning, he thought that Xie Yi was emphasizing that the ministers only obeyed the emperor's will and did not listen to the warnings of the county king.

"Of course it is Your Majesty's intention, such a major matter related to the stability of the country and the country, how can I, a military general, dare to make a decision?"

Li Daozong explained: "The drought in Guanzhong the year before last, the flood in Dongdu last year, and many places have been affected this year, and the autumn harvest has just begun. In terms of money and food, the preparation of the imperial court was not sufficient, and in addition to the bravery of the soldiers, the most important thing in the war was money and food. ”

"So, our task is to rely on this mouth to try to make Yi Nan not rebel, right?"

"That's right, try not to do it now, as long as it drags on for a year and a half, the court is fully prepared, and it will naturally free up its hands to clean them up."

Xie Yi said helplessly: "This is very good, the lower officials know it in their hearts." ”

"Your Majesty sent Bachelor Xie to go, naturally he trusts him, and I believe that Bachelor Xie will definitely do it, just with your mouth with a lotus tongue."

Li Daozong said leisurely: "I hope that when I come back from Xue Yantuo, Master Xie can get another honor - the talent of Su Qin and Zhang Yi of the Tang Dynasty." ”

Xie Yi said in a low voice: "Lord Wang, are you turning around and scolding me like this?" ”

"How so? If you can't even pass this level, then you are really not qualified to go to Xue Yantuo. ”

Di Zhixun laughed and preached: "Lord, tell me about the situation on the grassland!" ”

"Good!"

Li Daozong said: "On this Yinan's birthday, in addition to the Tang Dynasty, all the ministries of the grassland have sent envoys to go, and it doesn't matter what else is, the most important thing is naturally the Western Turkic envoy."

Originally, two years ago, the Western Turks were in civil strife, and the two families confronted each other on the boundary of the Ile (Li) River west of the Tianshan Mountains. It was precisely because of this opportunity that my Datang sent troops to the north, so that I was able to calmly defeat Jieli and stabilize the northern frontier. ”

"That's true, although the Turks on the east and west divide and rule, but in the end they are of the same origin, if they help each other at that time, it will not be easy for our Tang army to win relatively well." Dickinson was convinced of this, and they were both experienced in the decisive battle ten years ago.

"But now it is different, this year the retainer of the Gul Fat Tutun colluded with the Valley of Desire to cause rebellion, and the Tari fled to Bakhana (present-day Ferghana Basin in Central Asia), where he died. The crossbow lost Bibu and appointed his brother's son Bo Bu Qinqin as the Khan of the Ebi Sha Bo Luo Ye, and the Turks in the west were unified. ”

Li Daozong said: "Don't look at the Western Turkic Khan's appearance as the Tang Emperor, he is a tribute and a repair, but in fact he has ulterior motives. Especially in recent years, the influence of the Tang Dynasty on the countries of the Western Regions has gradually deepened, defeating Tuyuhun and restoring the prosperity of the former Han Dynasty along the corridor under the Qilian Mountain.

The Western Turks have always regarded the countries of the Western Regions as their own pockets, and the vassals in their own back gardens can not be touched by others? So I'm still quite jealous and hostile to Datang. ”

Of course, the expansion of the Tang Dynasty has already threatened the stability of the Western Turks to some extent, and it is natural to have ideas.

If it had been placed in the past, the Western Turks probably wouldn't mind fighting the Tang Dynasty, but the defeat of the Eastern Turks was a bloody lesson.

made them dare not speak lightly, after all, it is unrealistic to send troops from the foot of the Tianshan Mountains to Chang'an at night. As long as the Tang army has not yet reached the Western Regions directly, a direct head-on clash between the two countries will be avoided for the time being.

If you don't do it yourself, you can encourage and support others to do it!

Such as Tuyuhun and Xue Yantuo!

Thinking about it at this time, Tuyuhun's invasion of the Tang Dynasty a few years ago was quite strange. Tuyuhun's strength is relatively weak, and there is still a strong Tubo as a threat behind it.

Under normal circumstances, they should not easily use force against the outside world, especially to provoke a behemoth like Datang. But if they did, it would be extraordinary.

The Tang Dynasty monarchs and ministers thought that the Tubo people were making trouble behind their backs, but an incident happened not long ago, and an episode revealed the truth.

It's kind of funny to say. Tubo is now a strong country, almost comparable to the Tang Dynasty in military terms, and its Zampu Songtsan Gampo is young and promising, and he also admires the Tang Empire in the Central Plains.

also has such a wish, to marry the princess of the Tang Dynasty.

At first, I had an idea, but I probably felt that I was not worth much, so I didn't say it explicitly. But one time, an envoy of the Tang Dynasty sent an envoy to Tubo, and said that the Tang Dynasty had Princess Honghua marrying the Tuyuhun Khan.

The Tubo people were a little unconvinced when they heard it, and the little Tuyuhun actually married the princess of the Tang Dynasty. How can Tibet be an exception?

So, Songtsen Gampo sent someone to Chang'an to propose marriage, asking to marry the princess of the Tang Dynasty, but was directly rejected by His Majesty Li Er.

The proposal was denied. Both Songtsen Gampo and the Tibetan ministers felt very humiliated, and it was unbearable or unbearable.

So, they took their soldiers and horses to attack Tuyuhun.

I have to say that the logical thinking of the Tibetan people is really special. It was Datang who rejected him, but they went to lead their troops to attack a tribe that was not at fault, Tuyuhun was really wronged!

Eat one's heart out. Songtsen Gampo must have been jealous of Tuyuhun Khan, a woman who was not as good as him to marry the princess of the Tang Dynasty, but his marriage proposal was rejected.

So I had to beat me up to vomit Guhun to vent the hatred in my heart.

Moreover, it may be understood as a demonstration or a warning to the Tang Dynasty. Look at how strong our Tubo army is, you can beat whoever you want, you Datang don't look down on me, you Datang can't refuse next time you ask for relatives.

Judging from the allusion of Princess Wencheng's marriage, the purpose of the Tubo people should be achieved.

At the same time, it also exposed the bad relationship between Tubo and Tuyuhun, so it must be the Western Turks who instigated Tuyuhun to invade the Tang Dynasty behind his back.

As far as Tuyuhun is concerned, they probably want to use this to use the power of the Western Turks to contain Tubo, so as to gain living space for themselves.

In addition to Tuyuhun, the object that the Western Turks want to win over is naturally Xue Yantuo.

In all respects, Xue Yantuo is more valuable and powerful than Tuyuhun. Xue Yantuo's current soldiers and horses are on par with the former Jieli Khan, they are closer to the Tang Dynasty, and after starting to fight, they don't want to have worries like Tuyuhun, but they can attack south wholeheartedly.

The damage and pressure caused to the Tang Dynasty was also the greatest, and the Western Turkic Khan believed that Yi Nan would definitely be able to set the flames of war on the eastern steppe.

So, how could you let go of such a good opportunity as Yi Nan's birthday? The Western Turks will inevitably be sent by envoys to give them their final encouragement and discuss specific strategies.

Li Daozong said: "The Western Turkic Khan sent his younger brother Hu Lu, the little Khan of the Nu Lost Bi Division, as an envoy to Xue Yantuo, and you may face each other head-to-head at that time." Everything needs to be done with care. ”

"Do you have any information about Hulu?"

"There are some, but they are very brief, after all, the Western Turks are far away from Chang'an, and there has just been turmoil, Hu Lu is a new upstart, and he has no name in the past, so he doesn't know much."

"Okay, then let's wait until the Pearl Khan Sweat Tent to see and see!" If you can't know yourself and your opponent, you can only adapt to the situation.

"Hmm!" Li Daozong said: "You must be careful, no matter how Hu Lu's status is noble, and the fact that the Western Turks can let him send an envoy shows that the degree of attention to this is extraordinary, and there is a great possibility of reaching an intention." ”

Xie Yi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, the identity of the envoy is indeed more important, but it also has to be divided into occasions and situations. If it is really to rival or even surpass the Western Turks, it is better to send an envoy to the prince.

Can Li Shimin give up his own son and his brother to take the risk of going out? Is it possible?

What's more, identity is just a symbol of the degree of attention, and it has little impact on Xue Yantuo. What really influences Yi Nan's decision is the trade-off of pros and cons.

Datang can't give him too many benefits, and if the deterrence is not enough, he can only find ways to fool and "intimidate".

How?

"Lord, isn't there some good news?" Xie Yi said with a smile: "If it is exactly what the prince said, the lower officials are really a little cringe!" ”

"The envoy represents the Tang Dynasty, and Master Xie can't damage the dignity of the Tang Dynasty." Li Daozong said leisurely: "As for the good news, it is not nothing. ”

Xie Yi hurriedly asked: "Oh, what good news, the prince quickly talk about it, so that the lower officials can suppress the shock and calm down." ”

Li Daozong groaned: "This ...... News came from Chang'an that Yi Nan had two sons, Dadu and Tuli, and the mission might be able to make a fuss about it. ”

"Uh...... Is that good news? ”

Li Daozong said solemnly: "Yes, with this news, at least it is conducive to the mission, which is naturally good news." ”

"Okay!" Xie Yi, who was sweating profusely, expressed helplessness and had to accept this "cruel" fact.

Li Daozong expected encouragement: "Well, think about it, maybe you can use it when the time comes." ”

Xie Yi was unwilling and asked, "Lord Wang, when Chang'an was arraigned, didn't you say anything else?" Don't have any suggestions or anything? ”

"Suggestion? It should be considered that there is, Fang Xuanling let you take advantage of the contradiction between the two princes of Xue Yantuo, and it is best to provoke their infighting. Li Daozong's answer was not much different from what he didn't say.

Xie Yi groaned: "For the prince, the biggest contradiction is the throne, but Yi Nan is in his prime, and he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to admit it immediately, but ......"

"But what?" Li Daozong was immediately quite interested.

"If you want their conflict to break out now, then you have to make a big deal about the establishment of the prince in advance, why don't we come forward and seal Yi Nan's two sons."

Xie Yi said: "For example, if you are crowned as a little khan, you will have the qualifications to inherit the position of the great khan in the future, and now the infighting will begin to intensify, and even have conflicts with Yi boys." ”

Li Daozong is an understanding person, and he immediately knows it in his heart. Since ancient times, there have been no two kings, and if Xue Yantuo had two or three khans, it would be lively.

Di Zhixun approved: "It's a good idea, but with the support of the three provinces, even His Majesty, there must be a suitable reason." ”

Xie Yi said with a smile: "It's not easy to start from the beginning, didn't Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty already do it back then!" ”

Li Daozong and Di Zhixun glanced at each other and said in unison: "Tui En Ling?!" (To be continued......)