The whole hall was silent, except for the slight sound of the clear breeze blowing through the hall.
"Master, please bring me Xiaobu." Li Shimin raised his head and said softly. His face was tense and his eye circles were already red.
"Your Majesty, this... my late father's spirit in heaven, how can I wish to see Your Majesty like this? If I agreed, I would not dare to see my late father!" Qin Tong choked with tears streaming down his face, holding his fists in his hands.
Li Shimin paused, got up, and tore a piece of white cloth in the hall with a "snap" sound, and tied it to his left arm.
"Uncle Bao and I are as close as brothers. It is appropriate for the elder brother to be filial and the younger one to be filial." Li Shimin picked up the incense and walked forward, bowed respectfully and offered the incense, and said softly, "What's more, uncle Bao is a great hero of the founding of the Tang Dynasty and a martyr of the country. His funeral should be a national mourning! I will mourn him for ten days and the whole country, civil and military, will come to express condolences!"
"Your Majesty..." Qin Tong, a big man who looked like an iron man, was already crying and didn't know what to say.
Li Shimin walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and said: "Qin Tong, I know that Shu Bao has always been quiet, simple and not extravagant. At this moment, I understand better why you didn't publicly mourn for Shu Bao. You are afraid of letting others go." Those in the court are in trouble, right? It’s because they don’t know whether they should come to express condolences or not, right?”
Qin Tong remained silent, turned away and secretly wiped away tears.
"The times are getting worse... It's my responsibility!" Li Shimin sighed heavily and said, "Many people now think more about interests and futures, forgetting loyalty and integrity. How generous, upright and selfless Shu Bao was throughout his life. , when he finally died for his country, no one came to express his condolences - this is still Zhenguan Tang Dynasty, is it still my world! "
The dragon roared.
The Qin family saw that the emperor was really angry today. His eyes were red, his face was tense, and his body was shaking slightly as he raised his fists. The look in his eyes as he looked at Qin Shubao's spiritual throne was full of sorrow and regret.
"Uncle Bao... You have been a hero for a lifetime, and you have sacrificed your life for your friends. I have always respected you and obeyed you. Now, anyone can misunderstand you, avoid you or even slander you, but I am not qualified." Li Shimin Staring at Qin Shubao's soul, he stretched out his trembling hand to touch it gently, and whispered, "I know why you rebelled against the order and raised troops to fight in eighteen battles, running thousands of miles to recapture Gaochang; I also know why you entered the tiger's den alone. , passionately sacrificing his life for righteousness... As a king, it is a great blessing to have a minister like you; as a man, it is a great pain to have a good brother like you! "
When the Qin family heard what Li Shimin said, they were sad and a little confused. Naturally, they didn't quite understand the many deep-seated motives behind Qin Shubao's generous sacrifice.
At this moment, the ajar door of Qin Mansion was suddenly knocked open, hysterical crying came from the door, and two big men and a young man ran in.
Everyone looked out in surprise and saw that the two big men were so inconspicuous. One had a beard as black as coal, and the other had a back and a waist as strong as an iron tower.
Not Yu Chigong and Cheng Zhijie, or who else
As soon as the two people stepped into the Qin Mansion compound, they burst into tears uncontrollably. The young man following them also looked sad and silent.
"Second Brother Qin! My Second Brother Qin!!!"
The two big men burst into the door crying and shouting. They didn't notice Li Shimin's presence and didn't care about the Qin family. They both lay down in front of the spiritual hub, kowtowed to death and cried loudly.
The young man also walked in, knelt on his knees, and kowtowed without saying a word.
The Qin family members hurriedly offered gifts, but the two of them refused to get up and just beat their chests and cried loudly.
Li Shimin walked up, waved his hand to call Qin Tong and others away, knelt down beside them, and said, "Respect your virtues and know your integrity. You two came to Chang'an privately instead of being loyal to your duties in Yuanren Prefecture and County. What should you do?" crime?"
Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie came back to their senses. They looked up together and were surprised: "Your Majesty!"
"It's me." Li Shimin looked at them.
Yuchi Gong stared at Li Shimin. He was stunned for a long time and did not come back to his senses. Then he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, even if you want to punish me and chop off my head, wait until I finish offering sacrifices to Brother Qin!"
"Your Majesty, Uncle Bao has passed away. How can he survive alone?" Cheng Zhijie burst into tears. Looking at Li Shimin, he clasped his fists and bowed, "Although Wei Chen and Shu Bao are not the same mother, they are more flesh and blood! As early as thirty years ago, Weichen and he made an alliance to live and die together! Now Shubao died in the hands of the enemy, biting the gold... biting the gold!"
Cheng Zhijie burst into tears.
Li Shimin patted his fisted hands, indicating that he didn't need to say any more.
"I'm just closer and one step ahead of you!"
Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie burst into tears and kowtowed.
"Shu Bao is your good brother, and he is also my good brother." Li Shimin patted the two of them on the shoulders and asked who the young man behind them was.
Yuchi answered respectfully, "This is Li Zhen, the son of Li Ji." When Li Ji heard that his uncle Bao died for his country, he originally wanted his relatives to come to express condolences. However, he was unable to come because he was at the border and had heavy responsibilities, so he sent him to come on behalf of his father.
"Li Ji... although his happiness and anger are invisible, he is really a hero of loyalty!"
Half an hour later.
Li Shimin, Yu Chigong, and Cheng Zhijie walked out of the mourning hall, persuaded the Qin family members to return, and walked to the gate together.
The three of them saw the twelve halberds of Xunmen at the same time.
Stare for a long time.
"Rumble--" Dark clouds are rolling and a thunderstorm is approaching.
"Respect virtue and know integrity - follow me and go to court!" Li Shimin strode forward, grabbed a thick Fangtian painted halberd with both hands, pulled it up with a roar, and walked away proudly.
Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie looked at Li Shimin, who was holding a square-shaped painted halberd and striding away, even forgetting to ride his horse. They were dumbfounded and hurriedly followed him.
The current emperor carried a square-shaped painted halberd and swaggered through the city and entered the palace. Chang'an was shocked!
On the Bell and Drum Tower of Wude Hall in Tai Chi Palace, the two big drums that had always been beaten only in the early morning were hammered by two owl generals who were as majestic as tigers and lions, covering up the rolling thunder falling from the sky!
"Go to court!—"
The government and the public were shocked!
The ministers, big and small, braved the storm and thunder and lightning, and rushed to the Wude Hall of Tai Chi Palace in a hurry.
Entering the Hall of Wude, the already frightened ministers were even more shocked! ——The current emperor Li Shimin, who has not been seen for a long time, is sitting on the dragon chair in plain clothes and with his arms bound in white; and in his hand, he is still holding a black iron hand that has faded its original color over time, Fang Tian. Paint a halberd!
Although he was still soaked and embarrassed before wearing the crown, Li Shimin at this moment was just like the young hero who immediately slashed across the battlefield thirty years ago, full of energy and mighty dragon!
"Long live my emperor, long live long live..." All the ministers in the court knelt down and shouted in fear.
"boom!"
Fang Tian's halberd hit the ground, and the sharp sound shocked everyone in the hall.
"Flat body."
At this time, Li Zhi just ran in hastily from the side courtyard, while he was still hurriedly adjusting the crooked Pingtian crown. When he saw Li Shimin sitting on the dragon throne, he was dumbfounded and stood there at a loss.
His Highness Jinluan, stood two auxiliary ministers who were supposed to stand beside the dragon chair, Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang. The two of them lowered their eyebrows and did not dare to look directly at Tian Yan, their faces looking very ugly.
"Prince Jin, you are closest to Wude Hall, why are you the last to arrive?" Li Shimin looked sideways at Li Zhi and asked.
"My son, my son..." Li Zhi had never seen such an image of his father before. The battle at the moment also made him a little breathless, and he said in panic, "My son felt a little cold, so he took medicine early and went to bed. Just now Suddenly I heard the sound of a drum, and then... "
"Since you feel the cold, you should go back and rest." Li Shimin turned his head, no longer looking at Li Zhi, but narrowed his eyes and looked at Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang in the audience, slowly, but word by word Shen said, "There's nothing wrong with you here."
"My son, I obey!"
Li Zhi left in a hurry as if he had been pardoned.
The night was like a howling wind and rain, the shadows of candles in the hall were flickering, and the figures of the ministers were dancing like demons. There was silence everywhere, and the ministers had to hold their breath and concentrate, for fear that an accidental cough would cause bad luck.
"Does anyone know this?" Li Shimin suddenly stood up and spoke. He walked down from the dragon chair and walked into the hall with Fang Tian's painted halberd.
"This is... Fang Tian Hua Ji." Many people responded cautiously.
"What kind of Fang Tian Hua Ji?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.
No one answered now. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the emperor.
"Wei Chen knows." At this time, a thunderous voice sounded. It was Yuchi Gong. He said loudly, "This is the Fang Tian Hua Ji that is specially used to stand in the Xunmen!"
"Not only you know, they all know!" Li Shimin suddenly shouted loudly, interrupting Yu Chigong's words!
The whole house was shocked!
After a long pause, Li Shimin added: "Some people even know that I only let this kind of Fangtian Painted Halberd be erected in one family. However, they are unwilling to say it, or dare not say it, or are disdainful to say it. "
The whole hall was dead silent, and most of them were frightened and uneasy. The Emperor's visit today is obviously not good and good people will not come. Anyone who dares to offend Long Yan at this time will probably suffer no good consequences.
"Wei Chen has something to say." At this time, an old but vigorous voice sounded.
Fang Xuanling walked out.
Li Shimin turned to look at him, then turned around and said, "Speak."
"Your Majesty, at this moment, national affairs should be the most important thing, and loyalty should be the second priority." Fang Xuanling said calmly, "The Lanzhou Military News and Lanzhou Governor Qin Mubai's bloody letter of petition for war is here, waiting for your Majesty to make a personal decision."
"Bring it here and let me see." Li Shimin threw Fang Tian's painted halberd towards Yuchi Gong, took the memorial from Fang Xuanling, strode back to the dragon chair and sat down, staring at it.
Everyone held their breath and watched secretly the changes in Li Shimin's expression when he read the memorial.
finish watching. Li Shimin was calm and fearful of throwing them on the imperial desk. He clapped his hands and said, "Okay, I've finished reading. Now, let's express our opinions. Everyone must express their opinions. I don't want to hear you shouting in the hall. Drinking and chattering, come and serve me with pen and ink!"
Several eunuchs carefully filed in holding papers, pens and other items, and presented each minister with a set of the Four Treasures of the Study.
"Write now." Li Shimin said, "Write down your views on Lanzhou. Mainly focus on three things, one is how to view the death of Qin Shubao; the second is how to deal with the front and rear attacks from Tubo and the Western Regions; the third is Qin Mubai's There are only eight words in the blood letter, 'Xirong will not die without peace!' - What do you think, how do you view it, and what should the court do about it!"
Everyone was stunned. Many people were holding pens, and their hands were trembling.
"Write!!!" Li Shimin slammed the table and roared, like a dragon roaring, "If you don't even think about such things and have no opinions, what use do I have for you? If the imperial court of the Tang Dynasty only has the mediocrity of corpses and plain meals. How close is your death?"
"I obey the order... Your Majesty, please calm down!"
There are a total of 136 ministers with the lowest rank starting from the fourth rank. They are like students taking scientific examinations. They all sit at their desks and write in silence.
About an hour later, all the "examination papers" were collected and piled on Li Shimin's imperial case.
Li Shimin didn't say a word and picked them up one by one and read them carefully.
No one among the officials in the hall dared to move. The weather was hot and stuffy, and many people were sweating profusely.
After a long time, Li Shimin finally finished reading the more than a hundred test papers, clapped his hands on the pile of papers, and said in a joking manner, "Not bad! They are all my ministers and the pillars of the Tang Dynasty!" Everyone has insights and insights that are inspiring or enlightening.”
Many people breathed a long sigh of relief and wiped their sweat secretly.
"But I'm surprised." Li Shimin suddenly changed the topic and said, "Why don't I usually see any of you stand up to make suggestions for Jiangshan Sheji, share my worries and solve my problems like this?... The one I hear the most is ' 'I second my opinion', 'I second my opinion'. It seems that many of you can't say anything else except this."
The atmosphere took a turn for the worse and suddenly became tense again. What a pity for the group of ministers who hurriedly came to court in the middle of the night today. Many of them are old and weak, but they are forced to follow Li Shimin one after another and play this thrilling "roller coaster" game.
"I'm also surprised. Since you are standing here, you are definitely not just ordinary people. You must have extraordinary abilities." Li Shimin said, "How come you don't know how to do it as soon as you put on this scarlet robe and walk into the court?" Is it me who makes you think like this? "
Many people were frightened and confused and did not dare to respond.
"Tell me. Is it that I have always been narrow-minded, unwilling to accept loyal advice, and indiscriminately punished you, thus blocking your way of expression? Or am I old and stupid and willful, so that all the ministers have lost their courage and patience, and I will never give you any honest advice again?" Li Shimin asked again. asked.
"no… "
"Who is that?" Li Shimin suddenly shouted!
No one answered.
Changsun Wuji, who was standing in the hall, had his head bowed and his hands folded without saying a word. At this time, his face was even more ashen.
"Listen to me and remember." Li Shimin pointed at the ministers in the court and said word by word, "My country will not be in chaos before I die! Never forget that I am you. The only king! No one can decide and change the fate of the Tang Dynasty except me!"
"Long live, long live, long live my emperor!!" All the ministers knelt down in panic, and the mountains roared and the tsunami roared.
The eldest grandson's face was earth-colored, and large beads of sweat rolled down his cold forehead, soaking the Xichuan Baihua brocade blanket in front of him.
"They are all safe." Li Shimin took another photo of the "examination paper" on the imperial case and said, "I have learned from all the ministers' opinions and have made a decision on the Lanzhou matter - Fang Xuanling listens to the order!"
"We are here to listen to the imperial edict!" Fang Xuanling stood up and bowed.
"I order you to be the deputy general manager of the Guanxi Road March, and you will be stationed in Chang'an. The Governor of the Guanxi Army will provide you with money, food, horses, armor and other military supplies." Li Shimin said, "Tonight, I will know that in my Taicang How many grains are there, how many war horses are there in the Longyou Horse Guard, how many elite soldiers and civilians are there in the pass? Fang Xuanling, you are my steward of the Tang Dynasty. The battle of Guanxi is related to the fate of the country. It cannot be underestimated. You must be alert and deal with it carefully.”
"I will do my best until I die!" Fang Xuanling promised loudly.
Everyone was shocked in their hearts... The emperor's move was simply the first move, and it was as fast as lightning. He didn't discuss the issue of "war or peace in Lanzhou" with everyone at all, but directly dispatched troops and punished the generals!
Qiankun is arbitrary!
Is the horse-riding emperor who conquered the world and founded a country back again
"Wei Chi respectfully listens to the order!" Li Shimin shouted again.
"Wei Chen is here!" Yuchi Gong stood up powerfully.
"I appoint you as the general manager of the Jiannan Road march. You will lead an elite army of 50,000 from Guanzhong to Sichuan and Sichuan. You will command all the state and county soldiers in the two Sichuan and guard Xichuan to check and balance the Tubo." Li Shimin said, "If the Tubo comes to attack and kill you, you can do it in time." Counterattack; if they don't come, take the initiative to attack westward and make them vulnerable again! Fang Xuanling will allocate a supply of food and other supplies to you."
"Jiannan Road..." Yuchi Gong was stunned for a moment and murmured, "Your Majesty, I am going to Lanzhou to avenge the blood feud with Brother Qin!"
"Come here, show this memorial to Jingde." Li Shimin said.
The attendant picked up the memorial sent from Lanzhou and gave it to Yuchi Gong. He looked at it carefully several times with wide eyes, and suddenly laughed loudly: "That's it! Brother Qin gave birth to a smart and good son! It is only natural that the father should avenge his son! The minister is willing to serve as Qin Sanlang's flank assistant, Defend the enemy in the wild and attack Tibet from both sides!”
"Yes!" Li Shimin finally showed his first smile of the day, nodded, and said, "Cheng Zhijie listens!"
"Wei Chen is here!" Cheng Zhijie stood up and promised, clasping his fists and looking expectantly at the aloof Li Shimin.
"I appoint you as the deputy general manager of the march of Liaodong Road. You will lead 50,000 elite cavalry from Guanzhong to Youzhou via the northwest. You will serve under the command of the Governor of Youzhou and the general manager of Liaodong Road, King Wu Li Ke." Li Shimin said, "I order you to assist. Li Ke, guarding Goryeo."
"Ah, going to Liaodong? Youzhou?" Cheng Zhijie was even more stunned.
Li Shimin put down his hand and said, "Let Cheng know the truth and take a look at this memorial."
Everyone in the court was horrified and watched eagerly as Cheng Zhijie opened the thick stack of border memorials from Lanzhou.
After reading it, Cheng Zhijie put his hands on his hands and laughed: "That's it! The humble minister is not as good as your majesty and Qin Sanlang! - I am willing to go to Liaodong to assist the King of Wu! Goguryeo dares to have even the slightest disloyal heart or act of disobedience , I then sent my troops to attack him, vowing to level his land and destroy his country, as a warning to others!"
Li Shimin nodded and stood up, walked to the hall with his hands cut behind his back, picked up the Fangtian painted halberd again, and said leisurely: "Once, the barbarians from all over the world respected me as the 'Khan of Heaven'. Now, they all think that Heaven The Khan is old and useless, and the Tang Dynasty has been in decline for a long time. So, groups of clowns have come on stage to cause trouble in the world and provoke me. I will let them know that the three words "Heaven Khan", What is the true meaning? The so-called great dynasty is not just about abundant resources and people, and unparalleled popularity! "
"Come here, get some pen and ink!" Li Shimin shouted, and in the blink of an eye he took the wolf hair and wrote a letter.
"This is a letter I wrote to the great leader of Xueyantuo, Zhenzhu Khan Yinan." Li Shimin looked around the hall and said solemnly, "I tell him clearly that I have launched an all-out war with Tubo, the Western Regions, and the Western Turks, and I will also fight against If Liaodong uses troops, the northern border will be empty and unprepared. If he wants to sweep the grassland and establish an independent khanate, this will be a great opportunity!"
Everyone was stunned and speechless!
"Chu Suiliang, you immediately write an edict and send it to Li Ji!" Li Shimin put down the letter to Yi Nan and said, "I will hand over to him the homeland of the Turks in the northern grassland and half of Hebei! No matter what happens in the future, I don’t care what Yi Nan does or how messy the grassland is, it’s all up to him, Li Ji!”
"Your Majesty, I respect your decree..." Chu Suiliang promised cautiously while taking in the cold air.
Li Shimin finally sat down slowly and let out a long breath.
Just like a person who has gone through a marathon, he shows a lot of fatigue, but his eyes are still as cold as ice and as sharp as a knife.
"I have another decree. After the court meeting is dismissed tonight, the imperial court will be abolished for ten days. The whole country mourns the death of Qin Shubao... All officials of fifth rank and above in the two capitals of Guanzhong and Jifu must come to Yiguo Duke's Mansion to express condolences in person! For the time being! It is decided that Shu Bao’s body will be buried in the Zhaoling Tomb and his remains will be retrieved in the future and then moved to Zi Palace with a state funeral ceremony.”
"I obey the order..."
"Huh..." Everyone clearly heard Li Shimin's sigh, which was filled with fatigue, helplessness and sadness.
"Chu Suiliang, I'm tired. You can write a letter for me and write a letter to Qin Mubai of Lanzhou." Li Shimin closed his eyes slightly and leaned back on the dragon chair, saying, "Tell him to use his troops well, and there is no need to No worries. If he is not the opponent of Garqin Ling, I will personally lead the whole country to fight against Qizong Nongzan!"