A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 246 Dangerous Words
There are nine towers in front of Chengtian Gate.

The imperial guards stood solemnly on both sides of the square in front of the gate.

In the warm afternoon sun,
The prince led the triumphant soldiers along Zhuquemen Tianjie, receiving the welcome of the people of Chang'an, and arrived at Chengtianmen Square.
They lined up to receive the emperor's inspection.

Under the protection of the thousand-bull guards, Emperor Li Yuan slowly ascended the stairs on the golden chariot with coiled dragons.

The soldiers on Chengtianmen Square burst into thunderous cheers of "Long live the emperor".

Li Yi, a general leading the Eastern Expedition and one of the seven generals, was dressed in gorgeous silk armor and stood beside the prince with his sword in hand. Luo Shixin and his nine generals were right behind him.

"The prince returns in triumph, and presents the captives at Chengtian Gate!" The ceremonial officer shouted, his voice piercing the sky.

Hundreds of Zheng army prisoners were tied up and taken barefoot to the city gate and palace tower.

The captives begged the emperor for mercy.

Li Yuan stood on the city gate tower and watched the scene with satisfaction.

"I will pardon you and send you back to your hometown!"

Hundreds of captives immediately knelt down and bowed to the emperor, shouting their thanks.

Li Jiancheng climbed up the city wall and said, "Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission and led my troops to the aid of Guzhou. I have defeated Wang Shichong, beheaded over 3,000 people, captured 10,000 enemies, captured 1,000 war horses, 10,000 dan of grain and fodder, and successfully recruited nine brave generals to surrender."

"Your Highness has worked hard. In just one month, you lifted the siege of Guzhou and repelled Wang Shichong."

Jiancheng said: "It is all thanks to your Majesty's protection and the soldiers' dedication."

Li Yuan called Li Yi forward and said, "You are indeed a lucky general of the Tang Dynasty. I have read your proposal to establish a sick camp in the army, send military officers to inspect the sick camp, increase the number of military doctors, increase the supply of wound medicine, and place donkeys, mules, and attendants in each camp to treat the wounded. Your proposal is very good, and I have asked the Ministry of War to implement it."

Then Li Yuan said, "I will grant you another thousand acres of farmland in Guzhou."

The emperor then summoned nine generals, including Luo Shixin and Qin Shubao, and Li Yuan was particularly impressed by the smaller Luo Shixin. "I've heard of your and Shubao's bravery a few years ago, but I never thought you, despite your small stature, could be so brave."

Luo Shixin immediately demonstrated to the emperor what it meant to be small but powerful by lifting a tripod in public.

A large bronze tripod was lifted high in his hands.

That tripod weighs three hundred and sixty kilograms.

"General, you have extraordinary strength," Li Yuan stroked his beard and praised. Although the tripod only weighed 360 kilograms, it was not easy to lift it up, especially since Luo Shixin was very short, which made the contrast even more obvious.

The emperor was so happy that he conferred another title on Luo Shixin.

"I appoint you as the governor of Jiangzhou,"

The governor of Jiangzhou was of a higher rank than the governor of Jiangzhou.

Qin Qiong was also promoted by Li Yuan. He was originally appointed as the chief of the cavalry of the Prince of Qin's Palace, and was later appointed as the right third general.

The Crown Prince, the King of Qin, and the King of Qi each had their own army. The Crown Prince's army was now organized into the Six Commanderies of the Eastern Palace, while the King of Qin and the King of Qi each had their own Left Three and Right Thirty-Six General Military Offices. Each General Military Office in turn had three or five Hussars and Chariot Cavalry Offices under its jurisdiction.

Li Shimin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, during the battle of Guzhou, the city was nearly breached several times, and many soldiers and civilians in the city were killed or wounded. Later, the attack and defense of Nangang Fort also caused heavy casualties. I believe that the court should provide compensation for the fallen soldiers and civilians.
The rent and labor service in Guzhou should be exempted this year."

Li Jiancheng's face darkened beside him.

Li Yuan said: "This is as it should be. Order the officials to immediately deal with the aftermath."

"Your Majesty, I believe that wounded soldiers should also be compensated. I have heard that after the war, many wounded soldiers not only did not receive medical care, but were instead dismissed on the spot. No one cared about them and left them to fend for themselves. This truly undermines the prestige of the Saint and the court..."

The prince's expression grew even darker.

Li Yuan's eyes swept across the prince's face, and then he said only one word, "Accurate!"

Pei Ji stood up,
"Your Majesty, An Xinggui has brought back good news from Hexi."

"Oh, what good news?" Li Yuan asked with a smile.

"Li Gui refused to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. An Xinggui and An Xiuren secretly led the Sogdian Hu tribe and have already surrounded the city of Wuwei in Liang Province. Xi Daoyi, an old general of Xue Ju, originally defected to Li Gui and now leads the Qiang troops to attack him.

An Xinggui said that Li Gui was trapped in an isolated city, and no general in the seven counties was willing to send troops to rescue him. It would not be long before Weiwu City fell, and the entire Hexi region would surely submit to the Tang Dynasty.

"Hahaha, this is really good news. The Anqing family really lived up to my expectations."

Li Shimin had originally intended to use the wounded soldiers' incident to attack the Crown Prince, but now he had no choice. However, Li Yi had completely predicted the situation in Hexi.

"Your Majesty, although An Xinggui and his brothers have surrounded Li Gui in Wuwei, the night is too long and there will be more trouble. I request to lead the troops out of Yuanzhou tomorrow and completely capture the seven counties in Hexi in one fell swoop." Crown Prince Li Jiancheng said loudly.

Li Shimin was finally unwilling to give in and stood up.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Crown Prince has just returned from a military expedition to Guzhou, so why would he bother traveling to Hexi again? As the heir apparent, how could he afford to travel so far? There are people in the court who can handle this. Besides, why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken? I am willing to go to Hexi!"

The two brothers competed for the command of the Western Expedition.

Li Yuan smiled, but did not speak immediately.

Pei Ji then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Hexi Li Gui has been deserted by his friends and relatives, and the entire Hexi Seven Commanderies will inevitably be annexed by the Tang Dynasty. We don't have to worry too much about the military, but after Hexi's surrender, we still need to properly handle the aftermath, especially to appease the Sogdian Hu and Qiang tribes, as well as the relations with the Tuyuhun and Turks.

If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince goes there in person, the powerful people in Hexi, the Sogdian Hu, the Qiang Hu, as well as the Tuyuhun and Turkic peoples can be better appeased."

"Besides, the Crown Prince's western tour was originally decided years ago, so it's not easy to change it at the last minute." "Well, Pei Jian's words make sense. In that case, the Crown Prince should go to Hexi in person."

The prince smiled and said to Li Shimin, "The Changning Palace that Erlang built for my mother is not yet finished. We should finish repairing Changning Palace as soon as possible."

Li Shimin had no choice but to accept it.

Li Yi watched the two brothers fighting secretly. He did not speak about sending troops to Hexi. Firstly, it was not his turn to speak. Secondly, he also realized that there were people in the court who had seen through the situation in Hexi.
Li Yuan, Pei Ji and others had already realized that Hexi was now within their grasp, but they still let the prince make this trip, probably to increase the prestige of the crown prince.

In other words, he deliberately wanted to use the prince to suppress the King of Qin.

The King of Qin's ambition was exposed a little too early.

The emperor had to suppress this capable second son.

The emperor was happy that the seven counties in Hexi could be incorporated into the Tang Dynasty soon, so that the Tang Dynasty would have no worries, but then he received urgent news.

After reading it, Li Yuan looked unhappy.

"Wang Shichong returned to Luoyang after his defeat in Guzhou and was eager to usurp the throne. He asked Duan Da and Yun Dingxing to report to Emperor Huangtai, requesting that Wang Shichong be granted the Nine Gifts.
Just a few days ago,
Emperor Huangtai was forced to appoint Wang Shichong as prime minister, in charge of all officials, and confer the title of Prince of Zheng and the Nine Gifts on him.

Grant the Nine Gifts,
This is a clear sign that the powerful official is trying to usurp the throne.

At this point, Wang Shichong was bound to usurp the throne, and very quickly.

Li Yuan also went through this process. He asked Emperor Gong of Sui to bestow the Nine Gifts on him and appoint him as the Prime Minister, and then he abdicated.

Wang Shichong also forged talismans and sent people to capture various birds. He tied the so-called talismans written on silk books around their necks and released them one by one.

Anyone who captured these birds and presented them as a tribute was granted an official title, and then the imperial edict was sent to the palace to Emperor Huangtai, urging him to abdicate.

"Within a month, Wang Shichong will usurp the throne and proclaim himself emperor," Li Yuan said.

Ministers such as Pei Ji expressed that they should recruit troops and prepare for the attack.

Li Jiancheng even said immediately that he could immediately collect food, fodder and military equipment, and after he defeated Li Gui, he would lead another eastern expedition.

Some ministers even believed that they could now order the various forces in Guandong to launch an attack on the areas around Luoyang.

Li Shimin stood up.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Li Gui of Hexi has been deserted by his friends and relatives. He is just meat on the chopping block. We can subdue him by sending a civil official.

Although Wang Shichong of Luoyang usurped the throne and plotted to seize power, there was no need to rush into a fight.

The real threat to our Tang Dynasty now lies in the northern border.

Liu Wuzhou of Shuozhou has joined forces with the Turks and is about to launch a large-scale invasion to the south. Bingzhou is the birthplace of our Tang Dynasty and we must not lose it.

We should first destroy Liu Wuzhou in the north of Dai, then destroy Liang Shidu in the north, and then march eastward to fight for the Central Plains."

Li Yuan frowned. He felt that his son was exaggerating when he repeatedly mentioned Bingzhou, Liu Wuzhou and the Turks' alliance to launch a large-scale invasion, and even said that Bingzhou and the entire Hedong were in danger.

Pei Ji stood up to refute the King of Qin on Li Yuan's behalf, "The King of Qin is exaggerating. Since the Tang Dynasty started its uprising, it has been an ally of the Turks. Although there have been occasional frictions recently, they are all minor conflicts.

How could the Turkic Shibi Khan risk his life for Liu Wuzhou?

As for the so-called capture of Bingzhou and Hedong, that is even more impossible. Hedong is the birthplace of the Tang Dynasty, with the King of Qi personally in charge. Bingzhou is also well-fortified and well-stocked with food. Liu Wuzhou is a separatist outside Yanmen Pass, a mere Yingyang Captain. He does not have the ability to do that.

Few people believed that the Turks would launch a large-scale invasion, and even fewer thought that Liu Wuzhou had the ability to capture Bingzhou and seize Hedong.

Including Li Yuan, they all felt that the Turks were allies.

Even if there are conflicts, they are minor frictions, which are deliberately created by the Turks who have been asking for more benefits but have not received any. Although there are conflicts, they are not a big problem.
It is impossible for the Turks to move south in large numbers.

Even if Shibi Khan really marches south, Bingzhou City can be defended for a year or two without any problem. By then, the Tang Dynasty can still send envoys to mediate and increase its troops for defense.

"The Turks are ambitious and greedy. They will definitely invade the south on a large scale this time. This is not alarmist. So much intelligence at the front has shown that the Turks are really coming this time." Li Shimin shouted loudly.

Jiancheng chuckled, "Erlang, you've been talking about this for a long time now. Not long ago, the Turkic Khan sent someone to deliver a thousand horses for sale. If the Turks really want to launch a large-scale invasion, will they still sell us their best war horses?"

"Were those letters of military intelligence from the border all lies reported by the soldiers at the border?" Li Shimin retorted.

Pei Ji said, "I think the King of Qin is right. We must maintain friendly relations with the Turks and try not to clash with them. To resist foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the country. The Central Plains has not yet been unified, so we cannot start a full-scale war with the Turks.

Your Majesty, I suggest that Fengzhou and Shengzhou in Hetao be ceded to the Turks, and Zhang Changxun and Guo Zihe be recalled to lead the military and civilians of the two places to move to Lingzhou to strengthen the border.

These two Hetao states will be given to the Turks in exchange for their support for the Tang Dynasty to unify the world at an early date."

Li Yi couldn't stand listening any longer.

"Your Majesty, although Fengzhou and Shengzhou are thousands of miles away, the Hetao region is rich and fertile. Such a vital place cannot be given away."

Pei Ji sneered, "Feng and Sheng are not under the real control of the Tang Dynasty. Although Zhang Changxun and Guo Zihe have submitted their allegiance, they still command their own troops. On the contrary, the Turks come and go freely. It would be better to relocate the military and civilians of the two places to Lingzhou. Lingzhou is the border that the Tang Dynasty truly controls now."

"Your Majesty, although Fengsheng is far away, it is also the old territory of the Qin and Han dynasties. Generals Zhang and Guo have long since submitted to the Tang Dynasty. That is the territory of the Tang Dynasty. How can we cede it to the Turks?

Although our Tang Dynasty is vast, not an inch of land is redundant!
"If we cede the Hetao area today, it will be difficult to take it back later. Abandoning the Hetao area will not only mean the loss of horse grazing land, but also the loss of a thousand miles of border defense! Whoever wants to cede the Hetao area will be a sinner and a traitor to the country for all eternity!" Li Yi shouted angrily.

(End of this chapter)