The Braised Pork Gang has already sent people out to inquire about the bearded customers, just like His Majesty had sent people to inquire a few years ago.
So far, no one has been found.
If the bearded man intends to remain anonymous and live under a different identity, if he does not want to come out and find him, it will be difficult to find him, unless the hero wants to take the initiative to stand up.
This has become an unresolved matter for the Braised Pork Gang.
In the middle of the court, there was another quarrel in the court today. Regarding Wen Ting's massacre of the Baekje people, the Ministry of Rites took a resolute attitude of defense and fought hard with Liu Jie and others from the Zhongshu Province.
On the matter of conquering Baekje, the Ministry of Rites was resolute and insisted on conquering Baekje. It was imperative to unify Liaodong.
After the court, civil servants and generals walked out of the Tai Chi Hall in twos and threes.
Zhang Daan whispered: "Is it Lishan's intention to insist on taking Baekje?"
Xu Jingzong did not deny or admit it, but said in a low voice: "Unifying Liaodong is something that the Tang Dynasty must do. If they don't do it, then we, the Ministry of Rites, will do it. As long as His Majesty has not ordered Wen Ting to withdraw his troops, he will be in charge."
How can Shu Sheng speak with certainty?"
Li Yifu followed up and echoed: "What Xu Shangshu said is that we, the Tang Dynasty, want to unify Liaodong!"
Wen Ting only had more than a thousand men in his hands, and even the King of Baekje was captured. This result is indeed good, but it is difficult to give credit to this person. With the current attitude of Zhongshu Province, it is hard to say whether he will be safe after returning.
, and may even be punished.
Zhang Dasu smiled and said: "Baekje and Silla have not many troops. They are just the size of a state capital. Goguryeo still has a strong city to defend, but Silla and Baekje have nothing. According to the official
You know, the only soldiers and horses they can call upon are just fishermen, and the Tang Dynasty can defeat them even if it dispatches a force of 300 soldiers."
At that time, Zhang Dashu went to the Western Regions and Gaochang when he left the customs. He was familiar with the conditions of many small countries outside the customs.
Ever since he compiled the topography and the geography of Guanwai with His Highness the King of Wei, he was like a living complete book of Guanwai, and he could tell a lot about the local features and customs.
Since Zhang Dasu thought so, everyone also felt that he was right. They captured Goguryeo and crossed the most difficult tidal flats and swamps. After crossing the mountains of Goguryeo and heading south, they could directly attack Silla and Baekje.
From a geographical point of view, as long as the Central Plains controls Goguryeo, it will be easy to go south.
The art of war and terrain have always said that going north is difficult but going south is easy.
Xu Jingzong hesitated and said: "It's strange, how could they stop Yang Guang back then?"
Several ministers from the Ministry of Rites nodded in agreement, feeling the same.
Everyone walked to the official residence of the Ministry of Rites. Zhang Daan usually didn't talk much and thought the most. He guessed: "Lishan probably doesn't want Wen Ting to come back just like this."
Zhang Elephant asked in confusion: "What does it mean?"
Among the three brothers, Zhang Xiangxiang is now very impressed with this younger brother. His progress is too fast, and he can always take into account things that others cannot think of.
Zhang Daan added: "The real idea and purpose of the county prince is actually to hope that Wen Ting will not only capture Silla and Baekje, but also march eastward to capture the Japanese islands."
This matter has indeed never been mentioned. Xu Jingzong thought about it and felt that this statement made sense. What is there to fight for between Silla and Baekje?
That place was so poor that people would pee blood.
The significance of defeating them is not great, it is just a matter of future governance and education. If Zhang Yang wants to indulge Wen Ting, the only reason he can think of is to defeat Silla and Baekje and then march eastward to capture the Japanese islands.
As early as when Zhang Yang was still the minister of the Ministry of Rites, he learned from the Japanese monk that there were silver mines on the Japanese island, many, many silver mines.
This was a huge fortune. The Ministry of Rites had tasted the benefits at first, so Zhang Shangshu would not let those silver mines sit there.
With this said, Xu Jingzong also figured it out. He suddenly stood up and said angrily: "That gang of Japanese slaves only took so much as tribute. Their intentions are to be punished and they must be rebellious! This is intolerable! They will be destroyed."
They cut the grass and roots."
Xu Jingzong has followed Zhang Yang for so long, and his footsteps are still firm.
Zhang Daan took a sip of tea and frowned in thought, then remembered what Zhang Yang said. It seemed that Xu Jingzong had not been in the position of Minister of Rites for a long time.
In three to five years at most, His Majesty will promote him to Zhongshu Province, and Xu Jingzong's current performance is lacking.
And this achievement, which is enough to be promoted to Zhongshu Province, Lishan will definitely give it to him.
Now that I have figured it out, Zhang Yang is such a person. He will not speak his true thoughts easily. What he wants to do has been quietly carried out until the time comes.
Zhang Daan suddenly laughed again. Xu Jingzong was a smart man, and he could understand the profound meaning with just a few words.
Not long after, an eunuch walked into the hall and said, "Your Majesty, please invite Shangshu Xu to come to the Ganlu Hall to discuss matters."
Xu Jingzong adjusted his official uniform and followed the eunuch out of the Ministry of Etiquette.
There is still a small stove in a corner of the official residence of the Ministry of Rites, which was left by Zhang Yang, Prince Hejian, and King Wei during the period of the Ministry of Rites.
The stove was burning, and there was a small pot above it. What was boiling in the pot was tea eggs.
Everyone will take a tea egg when they leave.
The summer in Guanzhong is extremely hot. One month after Mr. Wang Gui came to Lishan, in mid-July of the twelfth year of Zhenguan, a thousand heartless cannons were erected outside Lishan Village. The bottoms were fixed with bricks and stones, leaving only half of the cannons.
Outside.
Today was the day for the trial of the artillery, and Xiao Qingqing naturally couldn't miss this scene. She rode Xiong Da and followed her father's footsteps to the entrance of the village.
Behind them were Xiong Er, Xiong San and Xiong Si.
These bears have just grown up and have become the little brothers of the big bear.
More and more people came out from Chang'an City to watch the excitement. Lieutenant generals such as Yu Chigong, Qin Qiong, Hou Junji, Niu Jinda, etc. all came.
Then came the Prime Minister, Changsun Wuji, Cen Wenwen and other officials from Zhongshu Province.
Even the envoys from various countries who were stranded in Chang'an City were present.
This time the audience for the martial arts performance was much smaller than before. Long Wujun had already surrounded the area ten miles away.
No one can get close to it, leaving an open space.
In order to verify the effectiveness of the artillery, many hills were piled up within the range of the artillery.
"County Marquis."
Hearing the words, Zhang Yang turned around and saw an acquaintance, and said with a smile: "Zanpu, why are you here too."
Songtsen Gampo stepped forward and said: "It is natural to see such a scene."
Zhang Yang shook the cattail leaf fan in his hand and said with emotion: "Actually, this kind of scene is not suitable for you to watch. I'm afraid you won't be able to accept it."
He noticed a little girl riding on the back of a bear looking at him, and Songtsen Gampo also looked at her.
"Are you Songtsen Gampo?" Xiao Qingqing asked.
"This is my daughter." Zhang Yang introduced.
"I've heard about the reputation of the little princess for a long time."
Songtsen Gampo saluted.
The reputation of the little princess?
Zhang Yang thought for a moment and took a breath again. Being able to bombard Chang'an City and still return home safe and sound, his reputation should have spread throughout Chang'an City.
Xiao Qingqing grabbed Xiong Da's ears, looked at him with a pair of spiritual eyes, and said: "Dad said that Tubo Zampu is a very powerful person."
"Yes...really?"
Hearing this, Songtsen Gampo looked at Zhang Yang in surprise, as if he was confirming his opponent's affirmation of him.
Xiao Qingqing added: "My father also said that if Zanpu hadn't been careless and neglected to guard the rear, the Tang Dynasty might not have had the upper hand in the first battle in Liangzhou."
Songtsen Gampo smiled bitterly and said, "Do you even tell your daughter such a thing?"
Zhang Yang waved his hand and said with a smile: "She has too many teachers. This matter is not about me."
What happened back then became a scar in Songtsan Gampo's heart, and it was very uncomfortable to have this scar opened by a little girl.
Xiaoqing said with a sweet voice: "Zanpu was able to unify Tubo at such a young age. Such achievements are unprecedented and truly admirable. Future generations will remember Zanpu. These words are indeed what dad said."
My daughter is too smart and difficult to discipline. I once suspected that she had been following the fat man Li Tai for a long time and learned such little thoughts, conversation, and Li Tai's tact, with her own unique naughtiness.
Songtsen Gampo put his hands behind his back, and could not hide the loneliness in his eyes, "With your father in the Tang Dynasty, Tubo will not be the opponent of the Tang Dynasty."
"Then Zamp is not daddy's opponent, isn't he?"
Songtsen Gampo had a straight face and did not answer.
Zhang Yang glanced at her and then said: "Dad and Zamp are rivals. They have always been rivals. There is only a temporary difference between high and low. In the long run, don't underestimate any opponent. Don't make conclusions based on the temporary victory or defeat.
One day he grows up again, and daddy may lose to him."
Xiao Qingqing lay on the back of the bear, crossed his arms on the big bear's head, rested his chin on his pillow, and asked with side eyes: "Even if Tubo is included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty, will Zamp and Daddy still be rivals?"
Be included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty? Songtsen Gampo's face turned a little darker, and he gritted his teeth and said: "She is indeed the daughter of the county prince, I admire you."
"Children's talk is nothing but a joke for children. Don't take it too seriously, Zanpu."
"No!" Songtsen Gampo said seriously: "I care very much!"
"Don't worry Zanpu, Datang is a kind country and will never see such a day."
"You Zhang Yang have always been ambitious, I don't believe it!"
The fan in Zhang Yang's hand is shaking faster. How to explain it?
Then he glared at Xiao Qingqing and said seriously: "Stop asking."
Xiao Qingqing looked away and responded, "Yeah."
"Fire the guns!" A loud shout came from the distance, and a thousand cannons lined up were shining brightly in the scorching sun.
As a row of soldiers pulled out the rope bolt, thick white smoke ignited from the bottom of the artillery.
This ignition method is very simple. When the rope is pulled out, the tension hits the internal primer device, so the detonation efficiency is higher and the detonation is faster.
After three or two breaths, I just heard bang! bang! bang!
There were several explosions, and fireballs flew out of the barrel one after another. The smoke from the explosion was so thick that it was difficult to see the specific situation.
When the fireballs landed on those hills, they exploded one after another, and the explosions were deafening.
Xiao Qingqing covered Xiong Da's ears and looked excited when she saw this scene.
When the gunpowder smoke cleared, everyone saw the scene in front of them clearly. Those hills were blown to pieces.
Everyone could not hide the shock in their eyes. It was not a lie when they said that this thing could level mountains and rivers.
With this thing, who can stop the Tang Dynasty soldiers?
Some civil servants expressed their feelings directly on the spot, and some military generals were excited.
Zhang Yang looked at Songtsan Gampo who was standing aside. His face was pale and his lips were still trembling, so he comforted him: "Zanpu, I advised you."
Songtsan Gampo turned away from looking at the artillery, "Zhang Yang! You promised me."
"Well, although Zamp and I are rivals, no matter how big the grievances are, the people of Tubo are innocent. This is my promise."
Then he glanced at the girl riding on the back of the bear. Songtsen Gampo suddenly laughed. After laughing three times, he said loudly: "It's the sky that doesn't care about Tubo."
"Zan Pu is wrong." Xiao Qingqing corrected him: "There is no such thing as heaven's favor. The difference between strong and weak in this world is only related to people."
Songtsen Gampo left, laughing wildly as he walked. Zhang Yang was a little worried about this guy's mental state at the moment.
"Dad, did I say the wrong thing?"
"You're right."
"Well, this Zamp seems to be unwilling."
Zhang Yang nodded and said: "I can see it. If Long Wujun hadn't been here, he might have fought me desperately on the spot."
"Bear will help daddy."
"Let's go see the artillery."
"Um."
Zhang Yang walked to the camp with his daughter. These unscrupulous cannons were made in a hurry, because the cannon bodies were cast by ordnance supervisors. In order to ensure quality, there was only one trial launch.
Listening to the reports from the soldiers, there were about a dozen who had misfired, and five or six who had exploded.
Zhang Yang asked them to dismantle the broken artillery and take it to Lishan for repair.
This trial run was generally successful.
However, the emperor did not care how many defective artillery pieces there were, so he issued an order the next day, ordering Li Ji to be the general manager of the Hexi Road march, and to be stationed in the Hexi Corridor, with an army of 100,000.
Groups of soldiers and horses set out from Guanzhong to garrison in the Hexi Corridor.
Among the troops, Liu Rengui was appreciated by His Majesty. After coming to Chang'an from Chencang, he was also incorporated into the Western Expedition Army and served as a captain.
The army moved first, and the marching general Li Ji came to Lishan.
A Dawan horse stopped in front of the village. Li Ji immediately stopped and said loudly: "Where is Duke Wei!"
The soldiers in front of the camp hurried to report.
Li Ji turned over and dismounted. Before he saw Li Jing, he saw Cheng Yaojin first. "I heard that you, an old man, spend all day studying artillery?"
Cheng Yaojin said loudly: "It's a pity. I'm obviously in my prime, and your Majesty can still use you, but I can no longer use you."
"Your Majesty has a destiny, and the general will have to go."
Seeing how Li Ji was acting like a good boy after getting an advantage, Cheng Yaojin felt very unhappy and said in a deep voice: "Let's go to the Hexi Corridor. I don't think His Majesty will let you enter the Western Regions easily."
Li Ji nodded solemnly, "Your Majesty, Cheng Zhijie, has a clear mind. Your Majesty has ordered the general to be stationed in the Hexi Corridor to intimidate the Western Regions, the Turks, and the Tubo people. The Persian war is imminent, so Tubo, the Western Regions, and the Turks cannot cause chaos."
"Pei Xingjian and the others went deep alone, and there were not many soldiers and horses in the Anxi Protectorate. Once there was chaos between the Western Regions and the Western Turks, their lone army would be in danger. If there are some generals stationed in the Hexi Corridor, if there are changes in the Western Regions, they can immediately start from the Hexi Corridor.
Send troops to destroy them."
Only when all the tribes in the Western Regions are united can they bring a steady stream of troops, horses, and equipment to Pei Xingjian and Liang Jianfang.
Everyone is a battle-hardened general and understands the key points.