Li Zhi said that he had no intention, but his father listened with a heart.

After so many years of conflict with Zhang Yang, Li Shimin thought that his strength was already very large, and he said slowly: "Your brother-in-law is a more cunning person than a fox. ”

Li Zhi frowned and thought about it, holding the wine bowl in both hands with a bitter expression.

Knowing that he couldn't drink the wine, Li Shimin said again: "Go find your mother to try on new clothes." ”

Li Zhiru was pardoned and fled quickly.

The grape brew is sour and astringent, and it is not as delicious as the brother-in-law's wine-brewed balls, but the father has to drink it when he rewards it.

Li Zhi walked out of the Lizheng Hall with a bitter face.

Zhang Yang's letter was delivered to the Foreign Affairs Academy, and Zhang Daxiang, Zhang Dasu, and Xu Jingzong were discussing in the room.

In the dimly lit room, a letter is placed in front of you.

Xu Jingzong said in a low voice: "The news sent by the Western Regions does say that the Great Cannibals are increasing their troops today, so it seems that there is indeed a momentum to take the capital of Persia." ”

In the face of the Great Cannibals, the Persians were defeated repeatedly, and although they won several victories during this period, they could not reverse the decline of the Persian lack of troops.

The Western Regions is not like Guanzhong, which has standing soldiers and horses.

Most of the Persian soldiers were hired or temporarily requisitioned, while the Persian nobility had many slaves and were not used for warfare.

The slaves had become property, and the king of Persia had to pay for them in war.

This situation of shrinking population and increasing slaves is very similar to that of the fall of Gaochang.

Xu Jingzong has seen a lot of things about the West in the past two years, and he personally participated in the Gaochang accident before and after, and there was another country in the West that also perished.

Xu Jingzong frowned and looked at the table in front of him, "The lower official will let the Persian prince Belus set off for Persia." ”

Zhang Dasu hesitated: "Persia is already at the end of the strong crossbow, even if it is temporarily stabilized, will it be supported in the future?" ”

"Dasu's concerns are also justified."

The room fell silent again, and the three of them fell silent, not knowing how to respond to the situation.

"It's been a long time since Zhang Shilang came to the Foreign Affairs Yuan." Dasu asked suddenly.

Xu Jingzong took a sip of tea, "I haven't seen Zhang Shilang for some days, and I haven't seen him since the opening of the dynasty meeting this year." ”

Dasu added tea to himself.

Zhang Daxiang said in a low voice: "Your Majesty let Fang Xiang take charge of Shangshu Province again, and Zhang Shangshu is now also in Lishan, what is the purpose?" ”

Xu Jingzong was also very distressed about this, among the six departments, all the Shangshu were dutiful, but the Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites could not see anyone, and they did not see anyone for a whole year.

Occasionally, we also talk in a hurry.

In this regard, Xu Jingzong felt that although the three people present were squires, they were all doing the work of Shangshu.

Running between the six departments, you have to manage the people under your own hands.

Outside the room, Pei Xingjian hurriedly came and met Li Chongyi.

Li Chongyi is the child of Li Xiaogong, the king of Hejian County, and a child of the clan, and his appointment in the Foreign Affairs Yuan was arranged by His Majesty, but many matters in the Foreign Affairs Yuan isolated Li Chongyi.

Pei Xingjian can see that there are five waiters in the Ministry of Rites today, but only Zhang Daxiang, Zhang Dasu, and Xu Jingzong of the Ministry of Rites are really in charge of diplomatic affairs.

Since coming to Chang'an City last year, Pei Xingjian has heard a lot about the Foreign Affairs Academy.

The first to follow Zhang Shangshu was Xu Jingzong, and the two planned Tuyuhun together, and later Zhang Daxiang and Zhang Dasu were born.

Li Chongyi is idle on weekdays, and he still has the style of a child of a family.

Pei Xingjian greeted: "Li Shilang." ”

"I heard that Zhao Guogong often sends people to lobby, hoping that you will go to Zhongshu Province to take up a post, why have you stayed in the Foreign Affairs Academy?"

Zhao Guogong often sent people to inquire, but Pei Xingjian was unwilling to accept Zhao Guogong's kindness several times.

Compared with those old people in the court, Pei Xingjian's net worth is cleaner.

He is also the leader of the new officials in the DPRK and China in recent years.

The most important thing is that he is very young, he is such a person, but he was recruited by Zhang Yang first.

Only Zheng Gong knew that as early as when Pei Xingjian had not participated in the imperial examination, he asked Pei to go to Hedong to inquire about Pei Xingjian.

Since then, Pei Xingjian has been very curious about Zhang Yang.

What kind of person is he?

Moreover, since he came to the Ministry of Rites and worked in the Foreign Affairs Academy, Pei Xingjian usually followed Zhang Daxiang to run around the ministries, and he also knew everything inside and outside the court, but he had never seen this Zhang Shangshu.

"I don't want to go to Zhongshu Province, if I enter Zhongshu Province, I can't go to the vast Guanwai, I want to be a general like Brother Xue."

Li Chongyi said again: "In the Foreign Affairs Yuan, it is just a civilian position, how to lead the army." ”

Pei Xingjian nodded and said, "Yes, but I was originally from a literati background, so how can I enter the army." ”

At this moment, in the room on the second floor of the Foreign Affairs Academy, the discussion continued.

Xu Jingzong looked at the piece in his hand, "The Anxi Protectorate has added more manpower to let Ashina Dur pacify the civil strife in the Western Turks, and it doesn't matter if he lives or dies." ”

Zhang Daxiang could see that Xu Jingzong was the first to follow Zhang Yang, and he did a lot of things to kill people and destroy the country.

When it is for the benefit of the Tang Society, Xu Jingzong will act decisively.

Even Zhang Dasu and himself can't be so decisive in this regard.

The three squires walked out of the diplomatic courtyard together, and Zhang Daxiang hurried to Zhongshu Province, so that Zhongshu Province ordered the military department to send 2,000 soldiers and horses to the Anxi Metropolitan Protectorate.

Zhang Dasu wrote a copy in Turkic script and gave it to Xu Jingzong.

Xu Jingzong also wrote a letter, one of which asked him to give the letter to Ashinadur of the Western Turks, and the second letter to the garrison general Adalan of Gaochang, who had been building up strength for a long time, and it was the most critical time to use this force.

The fate of the Western Turks should also have a result under the infighting between the two Western Turkic khans.

Because Pei Xingjian had written a strategy for the Western Regions, at this moment he was standing in the inner courtyard of the Foreign Affairs Academy and listening to the orders of this squire.

"I read the strategy you wrote before, it was Zhang Shangshu who took a fancy to you at the beginning, if you don't want to go to the Western Regions, we can also change the arrangement."

Pei Xingjian waved his hands, "Xia Guan is willing to go to the Western Regions." ”

Xu Jingzong looked at him and nodded, "The Western Regions are not as hard as Guanzhong, you have to endure a lot of hardships, you are still young and have not yet started a family, so you shouldn't have been allowed to go." ”

After saying that, his expression became a little happy, and he said loudly: "Please also ask Xu Shilang to allow the lower officials to go to the Western Regions Protectorate." ”

While the two were talking, Xue Rengui watched with a blank eye on the side, pricked up his ears and listened carefully, the anxiety and impatience in his eyes were beyond words.

Xu Jingzong raised his eyes and said: "After studying and practicing hard for several years, it should be useful, Xue Rengui, although you are a guard in front of the Foreign Affairs Academy, you have no official position, if you go to the Western Regions and miss this year's imperial examination, you have to think about it." ”

Xue Rengui hurriedly stepped forward and waved his hands, "I am willing to escort Pei Xingjian to the Western Regions." ”

Hearing Brother Xue say this, Pei Xingjian pulled him aside, "Brother Xue, if you have a family, if you are ......?"

Xu Jingzong said with a smile: "It's okay, our Foreign Affairs Yuan is a civilian, and you can take your family to the Metropolitan Protectorate." ”

Xue Rengui saluted again, "Thank you, Xu Shilang." ”

Closing people's hearts, Xu Jingzong refuses to miss it, Zhang Shangshu, Zhang Shangshu, you are not in the Foreign Affairs Academy, but the lower officials are heartbroken for this cause.

The world is difficult, and people's hearts are not ancient.

Xu Jingzong only had the obsession in his heart to get ahead and support him to stay here.

Zhang Daxiang brought the talisman, "Zhongshu Province agreed, go to Zuo Qianniu Wei Cheng to lead 30 soldiers to escort General Jin, and then lead 3,000 Hexi soldiers and horses to the Hexi Corridor, and go to the Anxi Protectorate together." ”

Xu Jingzong's face was solemn, "Is there only three thousand soldiers and horses?" ”

"Hou Junji, the secretary of the military department, said that it would be good to give three thousand, and there has been no reply to the war in Mobei, so I don't dare to mobilize too many soldiers and horses."

Pei Xingjian's eyes were fiery, and he carefully held the talisman in both hands.

Zhang Daxiang looked at Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui, who were still bowing, and he hesitated: "For such an important matter, I thought you would choose someone who is experienced in handling affairs. ”

"Brother Elephant, we should also train young people, there are still many things to arrange in the future."

Zhang Daxiang looked at the two of them again, and said: "You have to remember the next words, go to the Anxi Protectorate, you will lead Gaochang soldiers and horses to assist Ashinadur to pacify the Western Turks, and then Ashinadur will take 20,000 Gaochang soldiers and horses to Persia west of the Tianshan Mountains to help." ”

"You also have to escort the Persian prince Belus, and arrive at the Anxi Protectorate before the May season, you and Xue Rengui will lead troops to the Western Turks at most, but you must not leave the Western Regions, as for the Persian prince to Ashinadur and Gaochang men and horses to escort to Persia, after pacifying the Western Regions, Gaochang's 20,000 soldiers and horses will be transferred, and the Western Regions will be empty."

"And you need to sit in the Western Regions Protectorate, and preside over the governance of the Western Turks in the future, the specific matters have been sent to the Gaochang garrison general Adalan, who has been guarding Gaochang for our Foreign Affairs for four years, this person can be trusted."

"Whoa."

Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui responded in unison.

Xu Jingzong said: "Although the four towns of Anxi have been recovered, but the governance is loose, you also need to pull up a large army there, in case the Persian army is defeated, this army is also used to gallop to aid Persia, the big food this attack on Persia with hundreds of thousands of troops, including countless beasts, this war is related to the survival of Persia, and you must be cautious during your tenure." ”

"Whoa!"

Zhang Daxiang nodded and said: "Go back and prepare, set off early tomorrow morning with the talisman, and go through the Hexi Corridor to say hello to Di Zhixun on our behalf, you have left Longxi early, and you can rest in the Hexi Corridor." ”

Pei Xingjian put the talisman in his arms, and it was a great luck for him to finally be able to take charge of a team of soldiers and horses, and he could also take care of the four towns of Anxi, and maybe he could pull up a bigger army and horses.

He saluted and said, "Xu Shilang, the lower official has another request." ”

"Say."

"Di Zhixun saw Zhang Shilang when he left Chang'an, and he also wanted to see Zhang Shangshu before leaving."

Zhang Yang appeared in Lishan, ignoring the affairs of the Ministry of Rites, and said that he would retire at the age of thirty, but now it seems that he has not yet reached the age of thirty, and he already has the posture of retiring.

"The old man will go to Lishan with you early tomorrow morning, as for whether you can see the old man Zhang Shangshu, there is no guarantee, but you can assign a person to escort you when you go to Zuo Qianniuwei, and it is recommended that you find a person named Wang Xuance."

"Whoa."

Speaking of Wang Xuance, Zhang Shangshu named him by name to recruit him.

It's a pity that this person has not been able to enter the oil and salt, which makes Xu Jingzong feel very frustrated, and he can only make this decision at the moment.

Watching Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui, two enthusiastic young people leave, they have to face the harsh environment of the Western Regions and the treacherous situation in the Western Regions.

The Western Regions Protectorate has been built, and the four towns of Anxi have also been recovered, but the intricate forces of the Western Regions still exist, and the real purpose of their visit is to build the Anxi Army.

Li Chongyi on the side was eating a bowl of soup cakes, took a sip of soup, licked his teeth, and stepped forward with a bowl in one hand, "They are very envious of the officials who can go to the Western Regions." ”

Xu Jingzong smiled: "Does Li Shilang also want to go to the Western Regions?" ”

Li Chongyi took out a few slices of mutton in the bowl, put them in his mouth and chewed them, "Xiaguan is different, I can't go to the Western Regions, my father is the king of Hejian County, and as the eldest son in the family, I have to stay to inherit the family business." ”

Dropping such a sentence lightly, Li Chongyi put down the dishes and chopsticks and left.

Xu Jingzong looked at the empty bowl on the side, and the soup was also drunk, to say that Li Chongyi among the children of the clan is not unlearned, he is easy-going, and he can do some trivial things for him.

The next morning, Zhang Yang took the bear cub to the field and asked Li Tai to put a plow on it, and the bear went to plow the field consciously.

At the same time, it became the overlord of Lishan, and conquering the fields of Lishan was also one of its goals.

Yesterday, Xu Jingzong sent someone to send a message, saying that Pei Xingjian was going to come to see him before leaving.

There are a lot of things to worry about right now, and retirement is really retirement if you have to be carefree.

Zhang Yang thought so in his heart, and walked towards the entrance of the village, where Xu Jingzong led a team of soldiers and horses.

These people were ready to go to the Western Regions, and the Persian prince Belus was also in the ranks, and he immediately knelt down.

Zhang Yang hurriedly helped him up, "Why did the Persian prince make this great gift." ”

Belus sniffed aggrievedly, "It's been three years since I came to Chang'an, and only the Foreign Affairs Yuan is willing to help Persia, please accept the next bow." ”

This person has been in Chang'an City for three years, and Guanzhong's words are becoming more and more authentic, Zhang Yang sighed: "You also know that Guanzhong and Persia are separated by a Western Regions, and it is unrealistic for a large army to trek across the Western Regions, and we can only help you establish an Anxi Army in the Western Regions to aid Persia." ”

Belus wiped away his tears, "Thank you! ”

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded.

I haven't seen Zhang Yang for a long time, and he doesn't seem to have changed at all from a small waiter in the Ministry of Rites to the middle of the official residence at the moment.

This kind of smile with conspiracy, Xu Jingzong is uncomfortable no matter how he looks at it, and he used to have such a smile when dealing with Gao Chang's father and son.

First cleared his throat, Xu Jingzong whispered: "Zhang Shangshu, this is Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui." ”

Lowering his voice again, he said in a low voice: "The one at the front of the team is Wang Xuance. ”

Pulling Xu Jingzong to the side, Zhang Yang said in a low voice: "It's been so long, have you leveled him?" ”

"This person is difficult to do, and it is difficult to recruit officials, so you can only make this decision."

Pei Xingjian stood in front of him, looking at the legendary youngest scholar of the Ministry of Rites, and he was also a Chinese scholar, he was full of curiosity about him and had a lot to ask.

It's just that Xu Jingzong whispered to him, how can he not look like a decent gentleman.