In fact, Li Jiangyao already had an idea about these questions, but he still asked humbly: "What are your two opinions?" ”

Xie Tanzhi responded: "The three things are not completely independent, on the contrary, they are one ring after another, and they should be considered together. He believes that the core issue between the imperial court and us is the ownership of military power. As long as the Zhenjiang army remains independent, the emperor and the imperial court will not be at ease for a day. Under such circumstances, whether it is to return the capital, reorganize the army, or attack the rebels, it is difficult for both sides to work together without any trouble. ”

In this sentence, the essence of the problem was revealed, and Li Jiangyao and Xu Youchang couldn't help but bow slightly.

Xu Youchang said: "Actually, there is a reason for the independence of the Zhenjiang Army. To tell the truth, I have been influenced by my family since I was a child, and my loyalty to the monarch has long been engraved in my bones, so it is impossible to have disobedience towards the emperor and the court. However, even I don't have any emotional ties to Luoyi now. Since its establishment, the Zhenjiang Army has never received the slightest support from the Holy Tang Dynasty, and most of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers are children of Western Xinjiang, who united together to fight bloody battles in order to quell the rebellion of the vassal state and drive out the Turkic foreign enemies. In this process, the role and influence of the imperial court are minimal, how do you make those middle and lower-level officers and ordinary soldiers recognize? ”

Xie Tanzhi nodded, and continued: "Not only do the soldiers not approve, but the people of Western Xinjiang also find it difficult to approve. Seven or eight years is not a long time, nor is it a short time, and the great trauma of the war has changed many people's minds. More and more people in the vassal kingdoms realized that only the Holy King could protect them and bring hope. It is precisely because of the banner of Dadu Hu that people are willing to let their children, husbands, and fathers take up arms, go to the battlefield, and follow us everywhere to fight. ”

"According to the meaning of the two of you," Li Jiangyao smiled, "We can only refuse the court's moderation and embark on the road of separating one side?" ”

Xu Youchang responded seriously: "At present, it seems that I am afraid that it can only be so. The secession side is not very good, it should be an agreement with the imperial court, with the Guanzhong region and the imperial capital as a condition of exchange, we will return to the western Xinjiang and develop independently. ”

Even people from loyal martyrs like Xu Youchang said the word "independence", which shows what other soldiers of the Zhenjiang Army think.

Li Jiangyao's expression looked very calm, he waited for a moment, and suddenly asked, "What kind of person do you think I am?" ”

Xie Tanzhi replied without hesitation: "Most of the protectors are brave and wise, love the soldiers like sons, love the people like sons, and are natural leaders. ”

Xu Youchang smiled: "We have known each other for more than ten years, and you are the person I admire the most." ”

"Do you think I'm selfish and hypocritical, and I love to sing high-pitched?"

"Never," Xu Youchang and Xie Tanzhi glanced at each other and said, "You guy may be very cunning, and sometimes quite damaged, but you are definitely not a hypocritical and high-minded Taoist gentleman." ”

Li Jiangyao nodded and said with a smile: "That's good." As long as I don't think I like to sing high-pitched, then I'll be easy to say later. ”

"Friends, Tanzhi, I understand your concerns, and I also understand the hearts of the soldiers and the people. However, the problem cannot be considered in just one aspect. Li Jiangyao said calmly: "Think about it, what did we do to resist the enemy regardless of life and death?" So many soldiers followed us, abandoning their families and careers, and spilling their blood on the battlefield, for what? Is it just to divide one side and establish himself as king? ”

"We are here to save the people of Limin, in order to prevent the ghost desert of Western Xinjiang from splitting out of Shengtang! I, Li Jiangyao, and you, will always be the Zhenjiang army who defends the land for the people and the country! ”

"Because of a suspicious emperor, because of a few traitorous ministers who tell right and wrong, we have to give up our ideals and beliefs? Joke! Even if we can convince ourselves, can we convince Commander He and General Xu under Jiuquan? Can we convince Lin Feng's brothers who died in battle? ”

Facing Li Jiangyao's questioning, Xu Youchang and Xie Tanzhi couldn't help but show shame.

Fundamentally speaking, the top leaders of the Zhenjiang Army are all loyal and resolute people, and serving the country and the people has always been their lifelong pursuit. It's just because of the previous practices of the imperial court that everyone was dissatisfied and suspicious, so they had the idea of returning to the western frontier and staying alone.

Xu You sighed: "Jiang Yao, you didn't scold, but you were more ruthless than scolding." I do feel sorry for my grandpa. The old man could have retreated to Xishu and lived well, but he defended the imperial capital without hesitation and took the whole clan to martyrdom. I'm not as good as my grandfather! ”

Xie Tanzhi also said: "Dadu Hu, until today, I still know you like when I was in Metasequoia City, I didn't see the wrong person, let alone the wrong person. You are right in what you said just now, you can't lose the beliefs you hold on to because a few traitors are making trouble, they don't deserve it! ”

Li Jiangyao bowed his head slightly, and said solemnly: "In addition, there is another consideration. If we really return to the armed secession of Western Xinjiang, not only will it not bring peace and tranquility to the people of Western Xinjiang, but it will also lead to endless wars. ”

"When you say that, I suddenly feel that it makes sense." Xu Youchang agreed: "Perhaps, some people are hoping that we will do that." For Shengtang, the ghost desert in Western Xinjiang must not be given up. That means that sooner or later, the imperial army will also treat us as rebels and send troops to conscript. When the time comes, whether it is the northwest or the western frontier, the war will be raging forever, and there will never be peace! ”

Li Jiangyao said with a smile: "Therefore, we must use more wisdom to skillfully deal with that foolish emperor and traitorous minister." The purpose is not for his own position of power, but for the unity and tranquility of the Holy Tang. ”

"Dadu Hu is right!" Xie Tanzhi responded excitedly: "Ashina has been defeated by us, what else is there to be afraid of?!" ”

Xu Youchang looked at Li Jiangyao: "What about the three things you just said?" ”

Li Jiangyao said with a smile: "My reply to the imperial court not only politely rejected the princess's marriage, but also specifically mentioned the three questions you mentioned. I have only one solution, take the initiative to propose, the Zhenjiang army continues to march eastward and crusade against the rebels! ”

Facing the puzzled gazes of the two partners, Li Jiangyao explained: "Because we want to crusade against the rebels, the establishment of the Zhenjiang Army should not only not be reduced, but should also be expanded according to actual needs, so that the problem of reorganizing the army will be solved." I plan to let the Third, Fourth, and Seventh Armies return to Western Xinjiang to rest and reunite, while the rest of the troops enter the Central Plains battlefield. In this way, the Guanzhong region will be caught, and the imperial court can return the capital smoothly. And if we go to fight Lao Jianhua and Li Kui, completely eliminate all the rebel forces, and Shengtang will soon be able to usher in the peace and tranquility that has been lost for a long time. ”

Speaking of this, Li Jiangyao smiled mysteriously and said: "Of course, let's quell the rebellion for the imperial court, it is not in vain, the imperial court must have a return." ”

"What in return?" Xu Youchang was a little curious.

"I intend to get the imperial court to agree to set up the ghost desert in Western Xinjiang as an autonomous region."

Xie Tanzhi's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Dadu Hu, what is the autonomous region?" And how does it work? ”

Li Jiangyao combined the concept of the modern world and introduced: "The so-called autonomous region is not independent from the Holy Tang Dynasty. On the contrary, it is under the jurisdiction of the central imperial court, while recognizing the integrity of the territory and the unity of sovereignty of the Shengtang Dynasty, while fully respecting and protecting the interests of local ethnic groups and freedom of religious belief, it is a brand-new political governance system. ”

Xie Tanzhi asked: "Who will govern such an autonomous region?" ”

"My vision is a quadripartite joint governance." Li Jiangyao said: "The governor of the autonomous region, the imperial court, the Zhenjiang army, the Shenhua family, the rotation of each vassal state, the representatives of the four parties negotiate and deliberate, and take into account the interests of Shengtang and Western Xinjiang to the greatest extent. ”

Xie Tanzhi pondered for a moment and stroked his beard: "For the imperial dynasty, the most important thing is the integrity of the territory and the security of the frontier; For Western Xinjiang, the most important thing is that the people live and work in peace and contentment, and live a prosperous and quiet life. There is no contradiction between the two. The coordinated governance of the four parties can not only ensure that Western Xinjiang will not rebel and split again, but also avoid the situation of the monopoly of the capital and the protectorate of Zhenjiang at the beginning, and fully take into account the interests of the people. ”

Xu Youchang also nodded again and again: "That's true." Autonomous region, well, good idea. But what about our Zhenjiang Army? How should I get along with the court after that? ”

"I've thought about it," Li Jiangyao said lightly: "When the rebels are eliminated and the world returns to peace, most of the soldiers of the Zhenjiang Army will be disarmed and returned to the field, and go home to celebrate their birthdays with their relatives." The remaining troops were stationed in the western frontier and obeyed the command of the imperial court. ”

Xu Youchang was a little worried: "Jiang Yao, I said something that should not be said." In the eyes of Li Bing's stunned man, I'm afraid you didn't leave a good impression, if you leave the protection of the army, I'm afraid ......"

Li Jiangyao smiled: "What are you afraid of?" Afraid that I will be harmed by him? ”

Xu Youchang hesitated for a moment, but he still couldn't help but say: "Murong Xue wrote to me, saying that Li Bing is quite jealous of you, and for other reasons, he may still secretly hate you, we can't help but guard against it." ”

Li Jiangyao recalled the agreement he had with Xiahou Ninghan in his mind, and his thoughts suddenly flew to the mysterious cave in Zili Wenbantimu Village, and said indifferently: "I don't think it's a big problem, if there is such a day, maybe I would have traveled all over the world a long time ago, and he may not be able to find me." ”

Xie Tanzhi looked at Xu Youchang thoughtfully, and at the same time made a look: Let's worry about this matter secretly, don't bother Dadu anymore.

Xu Youchang nodded knowingly and sighed: "Okay, since you know it in your heart, then I won't talk nonsense." Now settle down first, take a serious rest, train and prepare for war, once the imperial court agrees to our request to go to the expedition, we will go to Lao Jianhua to settle accounts. Damn, so much mess, all of them were made by this old bastard, including me and the 3,000 brothers of the Pioneer Battalion who were wronged back then. ”

"Yes," Li Jiang replied faintly: "Teacher He's revenge should also be avenged." ”