When Xue Bai received Pugu Huaien's surrender order, which was urgently delivered from 500 miles away, his first reaction was "Is this guy pretending to surrender?"
If Pugu Huaien deliberately relaxed his vigilance and suddenly led his troops to kill Shi Siming when he turned his mind to Shi Siming, the consequences would be disastrous.
After that, more detailed information was sent, saying that Pugu Huai'en had offered the head of Shi Siming's envoy and was willing to go to Chang'an to plead guilty. Xue Bai still did not completely put down his guard and sent out sentries to confirm that Pugu Huai'en was not intending to go to Chang'an to plead guilty.
In the name of pleading guilty, he led his elite troops to sneak attack Chang'an.
"Li Mi is still quite capable." Xue Bai had to admire him.
This matter can be accomplished because Li Mi wrote several letters to instigate the generals of Shuofang Army and Pugu Huai'en's mother. It can be seen from this that if you want to achieve something, you must be thick-skinned, and when you meet a talented person, you should use the skills of visiting the thatched cottage three times.
Come with enthusiasm.
A few days later, Pugu Huaien took his son to Chang'an.
Li Cong personally received him at the Daming Palace. He heard that Pugu Huai'en's family had killed dozens of people fighting for the Tang Dynasty, and he couldn't help laughing at Li Heng and his son for even forcing such loyal ministers to rebel.
He is different, he has the ability to embrace all rivers, and since he is married to Pugu Huai'en, he should win over him.
Soon, the tall figure prostrated himself in the main hall and said: "I am grateful to you, my guilty servant, and I will bow to your majesty!"
"My dear, you don't have to be like this. Get up quickly."
In order to show his concern, Li Cong personally stepped forward to help him. But when Pugu Huai'en raised his head, his eyes fell on his scarred face. He was stunned and started to look at him carefully.
"Ahem."
After a while, Dou Wenyang, the eunuch standing by, saw that Pugu Huai'en was so rude and reminded him.
Unexpectedly, Pugu Huaien was still watching.
"I love you so much," Li Cong said, "when I was young, I was hunting and was caught by a wild beast."
"I asked why the Supreme Emperor didn't appoint a saint as the prince earlier." Pugu Huai'en then realized and shouted loudly: "I have been in Shuofang for a long time and have not heard about this matter. Please forgive me!"
Li Cong didn't think he was dissatisfied, he smiled with a smile on his face, but he was slightly sarcastic and planned to talk about the marriage of his children.
suddenly.
"I have something to say, and I won't be happy if I don't tell you!" Pugu Huaien's rough face turned serious, filled with murderous intent.
Li Cong was startled, sat down on the imperial couch again, and said, "What's the matter?"
Pugu Huai'en looked at the civil and military officials standing on both sides, raised his finger and pointed at Xue Bai, saying: "In the beginning, the reason why I dared to rebel against Your Majesty was because Your Majesty named him King Yong and worshiped the world's military envoy. This important position
He cannot hold this position unless he is a prince, and although he is the son of Prince Ying, his life experience has been a mystery for many years, so he should not hold great power. What does he think of your majesty when he acts like this? Isn't it possible to use the emperor to control the princes? "
In fact, these words were often discussed by Li Heng with his ministers when he was in Fengxiang, but Li Heng never said a word after his surrender. Instead, Pugu Huaien took it seriously and made sure to explain it clearly.
Pugu Huaien had completely forgotten that it was this kind of scornful character that made him break up with Li Heng, and he only wanted to explain that he was not wrong at that time.
When Li Cong heard this, he first agreed, even secretly happy, and at the same time a little embarrassed. He couldn't admit that he was Xue Bai's puppet in front of everyone, so he said seriously: "Okay, you have mistakenly believed the rumors, and I know it."
, I don’t blame you.”
Avoiding the topic, he looked at the people Pugu Huai'en had brought, and was about to ask Pugu Zhen.
"I thank your majesty for your kindness." Pu Guhuai was greatly grateful for the forgiveness. He immediately expressed his heart to the emperor and offered his good advice, saying: "I am willing to fight to the death for your majesty to kill the enemy!"
"good……"
"Now that your Majesty has stabilized the country, he has taken over the post of King Yong's envoy to the world and relieved the suspicions of the people in the world. As for Shi Siming's rebellion, I only need to lead troops to help Commander Guo Jie, and it will be put down!"
Although Li Cong wanted to do it, he knew that he didn't have the strength at all.
He also wondered how Pugu Huaien dared to say such words in public? After all, Xue Bai planned this surrender.
So he turned to look at Xue Bai, but saw that Xue Bai didn't react much, as if he hadn't heard such harsh and unpleasant words, and even looked like he wanted to see how he handled it.
Li Cong felt a chill in his heart, thinking that Pugu Huai'en might be testing him on Xue Bai's behalf.
"I love you dearly, if you don't know, let me remind you!" Li Cong then raised his voice and said solemnly: "When the country is in danger, it is King Yong who assists me to guard Chang'an and save Li from water and fire. I have my own discretion in employing people.
, you don’t need to say anything!”
Just after he said a harsh word, he saw a look of displeasure on Pugu Huaien's face, and quickly spoke to comfort him.
"I also know that you are out of loyalty..."
With great difficulty, they finally successfully negotiated the marriage of Pu Guzhen to Princess Ningguo, and then came the banquet.
~~
"I didn't expect Pugu Huai'en to be so ungrateful, so I still need to recruit more people."
When attending the banquet, Wang rarely took the opportunity and whispered to Xue Bai for a few words. At the end, he said: "If this person is hopeless, I will get rid of him and don't let him return to Shuofang again."
"It's okay." Xue Bai said, "I'm just a little stubborn."
"some?"
Wang Rao glanced at Pugu Huai'en again and thought that before he succeeded in trying to persuade him, he never thought that this person had such a bad temper.
Xue Bai was more aware of the recruitment process, and his eyes more often fell on the young general named "Hun Yao". Unfortunately, Hun Yao's eyes mostly looked at the emperor with admiration.
Under the dazzling light brought by imperial power, the difference in personal charm between Li Cong and Xue Bai is not big enough to affect a young man in the frontier, that is for the time being.
The news that Shuofang's army has been exposed to all this time does not say that Xue Bai is good, so he is naturally loyal to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
It was rare for the king to feel that kind of emotion, and he couldn't help but be annoyed, and whispered: "This time King Yong recruited Shuofang's army and became the power of the saint again."
"You can't say that. We are all soldiers of the Tang Dynasty."
Xue Bai, on the other hand, was open-minded and thought that as long as he was a soldier of the Tang Dynasty, he would be his own soldier sooner or later, so there was no rush.
The two entered the hall and took their seats.
This time, Xue Bai's position was moved further back than during the court meeting, behind Li Cong's brothers and sons.
If you calculate it based on seniority, it makes sense, but you can vaguely feel that Li Cong was already eager to reduce his power before completely suppressing the rebellion.
In order to reassure the generals of Shuofang Army, Li Longji was also at the banquet, accompanied by Jiang Caiping and Fan Nu. In addition, perhaps to embarrass Li Heng and Li Chu, Li Cong also specially summoned them.
"King Zhong, King Yu, you were confused for a moment and made Pugu Aiqing wronged. Please pay me a glass of wine."
Li Cong still looked like a good old man, maintaining the harmony in the Tang Dynasty. He laughed loudly soon after the banquet started and made such a request.
Everyone was defeated by him and surrendered at his banquet, listening to his chatter and laughter, but he was broad-minded and did not hold them responsible for their crimes and allowed them to live the rest of their lives in peace.
This made him feel as if Emperor Taizong asked Jieli Khan to dance at the royal banquet, and he was so ecstatic.
"I accept the order." Li Heng and Li Chu knew what Li Cong wanted. They stood up obediently, holding the wine glass, and said with a look of shame on their faces: "I persecuted good generals and almost missed the Tang Dynasty."
Puguhuaien is very useful.
In fact, he doesn't care so much about wealth or not, he only cares about right and wrong. Now he has proved that he is right, and he is very satisfied.
"Now I know that the sage is a wise king, but it was the loyal king who deceived me at that time."
Li Heng was in a bad mood, he responded awkwardly, hid behind the case, sat down, rolled up biscuits and ate it, just like the coward he had been many years ago.
Li Congzhi was very proud and said again: "King Yong, you and Pugu Aiqing have a drink together."
Pugu Huaien then also had a drink with Xue Bai. He gained Li Cong's respect and couldn't help but start taking care of things again, saying: "Why doesn't King Yong ask himself to be relieved of the post of general marshal of the world's soldiers and horses? It shows that he is guarding the country."
Out of loyalty, not out of ulterior motives."
Li Heng sat there and engrossed himself in eating the cake, and couldn't help but secretly screamed "Good."
He had long been unable to stand Pugu Huaien's brutality and stubbornness. He relied on his loyalty and bravery to point fingers, as if eight hundred relatives were interfering with him in the name of doing his best.
At that time, Pugu Huai'en was forced to rebel, and he was also depressed. Now he calls him Li Cong, and Xue Bai also has a taste of it.
At this time, Xue Bai had many answers. Generally speaking, he should have a straight face and yell, "The rebels are pressing down on the country and the country is in critical condition. What is your intention with this statement?! You want to rebel?!"
This kind of threat can deter others, but it cannot deter Pugu Huaien.
In addition, Xue Bai is strong and determined in his heart and does not need to show himself by intimidation. He just smiled and said: "There will be a day when the world will be peaceful and everyone will take off their armor and return to their fields."
Pugu Huaien was stunned for a moment, feeling like he had been punched in the air.
Xue Bai really didn't feel dissatisfied. Once Pugu Huai'en entered the capital, it was impossible to let him take charge of the army for the time being, and he could not threaten Xue Bai at all. And Xue Bai believed that time would prove everything, so he could face it with a peaceful mind.
Dissatisfied with these hostility...
It was dusk at this time, and the setting sun shone in through the palace door. Inside the palace, the people in charge of the Tang Dynasty raised their wine glasses again.
On the other side of the red walls, before the palace gate was locked, a knight hurriedly sent a message, disrupting the banquet.
"His Majesty!"
The eunuch who reported the news called "Your Majesty" and held the news in his hand to hand it over. However, he soon encountered Xue Bai's sharp look and had to hand the battle report to Xue Bai first.
Because usually these battle reports are sent to the imperial city first, but today they were sent because Xue Bai, Yan Zhenqing, Wang Nan and others were all in the palace. This was the first time Li Cong saw such a fresh battle report, and he couldn't help but curiously said: "
What's the matter?"
Xue Bai looked normal and did not answer. He just said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. It's just a small matter. It can be handled by the department."
"Well, let's leave it to Zhongshu's disciples." Li Cong pretended to be dignified, "The banquet will continue."
Xue Bai then resigned with a group of officials who had actual duties, leaving the distinguished people to continue the feast.
~~
"Fortunately, Pugu Huai'en was appeased in time."
Yan Zhenqing put down the battle report and said with emotion.
The latest news is that the Eastern Route Army among Shi Siming's various rebel armies, namely Zhou Zhi's, crossed the Yellow River at Huliangdu. On the Tang Army's side, the Henan Jiedushi envoy, the successor Wu King Li Zhi, led an army to intercept and was defeated, and retreated to Yanzhou.
.
"Yes, if it had been later and Pugu Huai'en had received the news, he might not have made up his mind to surrender so quickly."
Xue Bai looked at the map and placed a war chess piece in Jining, Shandong Province.
He knew that Shi Siming wanted to take Luoyang directly, so the focus of defense had always been on the area from Bianzhou to Luoyang. Now that the rebels had broken through from further east, he regretted not replacing Li Zhi earlier.
??????55.??????
"Li Zhi must have the heart to retain his strength."
Wang Nan said: "The rebels crossed the Yellow River, and Zhang Xun was attacked on both sides, so the pressure on defense became even greater."
"yes……"
The lights in the yamen were brightly lit, and various defense plans and the allocation of food and grass were being readjusted.
At dawn, a lot of information arrived.
Yan Gaoqing, who stayed in the eastern capital, reported that due to the defeat of Hu Liangdu, the people in Kaifeng and Luoyang were very panicked, and many people had fled in the cold winter. The newly appointed Yanshi County Magistrate Zhou He had not seen the rebels and had abandoned the city.
He escaped and was captured by officers and soldiers. Yan Gaoqing beheaded him in public display.
In Xue Bai's view, the biggest problem at the moment is not whether the rebels can be defeated, but that once Luoyang is lost again, the confidence of the people in the world will be gone, which will bring about a series of follow-up problems.
In this battle, the first thing to defend is confidence and the people's expectations of Datang.
~~
Xue Bai thought for a long time and went to Li Mi again to ask a question.
"I plan to go out to Luoyang in person. What does Brother Changyuan think?"
Li Mi was surprised, thinking about it, and did not answer immediately, but asked: "Why do you think so?"
Xue Bai said: "I have considered enlisting His Majesty's chariot to go on a personal expedition and quickly wipe out the rebellion with the power of thunder to avoid future worries, but there is some resistance."
Not only was there some resistance, Xue Bai had not discussed this matter with Yan Zhenqing, because he knew that Yan Zhenqing would definitely refuse.
Li Mi was also very uneasy after hearing this.
In fact, some of Xue Bai's plots have already been revealed.
Xue Bai once served as a county lieutenant in Yanshi. He divided the land between Yishui and Luohe without paying taxes. In addition, he entered the city and captured Anlu Mountain without destroying Luoyang. It can be said that he was quite popular in the eastern capital.
And the foundation of the Li Tang clan was in Chang'an. So, once Xue Bai welcomed the emperor to Luoyang...that's what Wu Zetian did back then.
"Impossible." Li Bi said, "Only in the middle of the pass can we be safe. The emperor cannot move lightly."
"Yes." Xue Bai said, "But people in Luoyang are uneasy, so I want to suppress Luoyang. What do you think?"
Li Mi knew that Xue Bai's move would be beneficial to the war. He had defended Chang'an twice and left Luoyang, which would naturally let the Luoyang army and people know that the imperial court was determined not to abandon the eastern capital.
But once he suppressed the rebellion, Xue Bai became even more successful.
If Xue Bai stayed in Chang'an, the credit and prestige of suppressing the rebellion would definitely lie with Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi. In the future, the emperor only needed to win over these two people to control Xue Bai. It was different when he went to Luoyang. After some management, he only needed to break up
If Chang'an's water transportation is lost, the emperor can easily be held hostage...
"inappropriate."
Li Mi shook his head and said calmly: "Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi are both famous generals in the world. They have their own strategies to defeat the enemy. If you interfere too much, it will be harmful and useless. Yan Gaoqing and Zhang Xun are also famous officials at the moment. Let them defend the city and refuse."
The enemy has more of you and less of you, it doesn’t make much difference.”
Xue Bai laughed at himself and said, "Yeah."
Li Mi looked at him curiously and asked with a hint of ridicule: "Aren't you afraid that if you leave Chang'an, you will lose your authority?"
"Authority doesn't come by guarding these palaces." Xue Bai sighed: "I don't have any authority. I just protect some people and get them back, that's all. Therefore, I don't dare to let them down."
Li Mi was stunned for a moment and thought he was joking. He changed the topic and said, "If it is useful, it can solve the urgent need and urge Li Zhi to do his best to resist the enemy..."
The two discussed Li Zhi's matter for a while, and Xue Bai left.
Li Mi sat alone, thinking, wondering whether he had just persuaded Xue Bai not to go to Luoyang.
He was very worried that Li Cong would agree to the matter because he felt that Xue Bai's departure from Chang'an would be helpful for him to use his power, which would be too short-sighted.
After An Lushan's rebellion, the imperial court's control over the various factions in the world has been greatly weakened. Even if Li Cong took advantage of Xue Bai's absence and controlled most of the courtiers, what's the use if he couldn't mobilize the army to counter the rebellion?
It can be said to be a pursuit of the end at the expense of the basics.
Thinking of this, Li Mi hoped to remind the emperor.
Unfortunately, he was imprisoned in this Taoist temple, and all he could do was practice.
~~
Two days later, the detailed battle report finally reached Li Cong's ears. He was deeply worried, worried that Xue Bai would take advantage of Li Zhi's actions.
"Previously at the imperial banquet, Pugu Huaien proposed to lead troops to quell the rebellion." Li Cong said: "I think he is loyal, but it is a pity that Li Qian is unwilling to let him have military power. In the final analysis, he is still suspicious of the general."
"I see, General Pugu can be used by the saint." Dou Wenyang whispered: "If we can let him control the imperial army, he may be able to eliminate adultery for the saint in the future."
"Is it that easy?"
Dou Wenyang's eyes showed deep thought and he said: "My servant has found out some rumors recently. Cui Youfu, the resident of the house, asked the saint to send King Yong out of the eastern capital to stabilize people's hearts."
"oh?"
Li Cong became interested in this matter as soon as he heard it and asked: "Cui Youfu? It seems that this person is a loyal minister?"
"This man was born in the Cui family of Boling. He was the son of Cui Mian, the minister of Zhongshu. He was a Jinshi," Dou Wenyang said. "My servant checked and found that Cui Youfu and King Yong were appointed officials at the same time. One was a Shou'an County captain and the other a Yanshi County captain. . Now the two of them are very different from each other, and he has many unkind words for King Yong in private."
"Then he asked Li Qian to leave Luoyang out of selfish motives?"
"The slave believes that it should be out of loyalty and loyalty to the Tang Dynasty."
Li Cong looked thoughtful.
Dou Wenyang said: "All the officials have been suffering from King Yong for a long time. They said that 'the road to speech is as blocked as Li Linfu's reign'. The servants even heard that King Yong also wanted to appoint Li Xiu, the son of Li Linfu. The courtiers dared to be angry but did not dare to speak. If the general If he is sent to the Eastern Capital, the saint will be able to accept the advice of hundreds of officials. Then he will be appointed as servant Gu Huai'en to lead the army to protect the saint, and the saint can feel at ease."
"That makes sense."
Li Cong nodded repeatedly, especially moved by the word "release" used by Dou Wenyang.
Only by releasing Xue Baiwai from Beijing would he have a chance to take power... Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty could never release Cao Cao from Xuchang.
"But, how can he agree?"
Dou Wenyang said: "Cui Youfu is willing to die for your majesty. He plans to invite hundreds of officials to speak at the court meeting and use his momentum to force King Yong to go to Luoyang."
"Yes."
Li Cong suddenly gained momentum.
Since the troubled times, he has guarded Chang'an, driven away the rebel army, and pacified the loyal king. Next, he will conquer Hebei and eliminate the strong officials. This is a sign of a wise king.
Unexpectedly, Li Cong received good news only two days later.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Dou Wenyang hurried to the imperial couch, overjoyed, and kowtowed: "I have lived up to my mission, it's done!"
"What was accomplished?"
"Let King Yong agree to go out to control Luoyang!"
"real?"
Li Cong immediately sat up, his movements as light as a young man who was often disciplined and suddenly heard that his strict father was leaving home and wanted to take control of the court immediately.
"I dare not speak nonsense." Dou Wenyang said: "King Yong only asks your majesty to allow him full power to suppress the rebellion. He can arrange the generals, food and fodder at his own convenience, and promises to swear to the eastward expedition in the near future."
Hearing this, Li Cong hesitated for a moment.
Although it is impossible to dispatch generals, food and grass, these powers are originally in Xue Bai's hands, but Xue Bai actually came down through Zhongshumen. And after Chang'an was recovered, there were many voices in the court urging Xue Bai
Give back the power.
If he agrees now, it will give Xue Bai another name to take power.
"Tell me, what should we do if he doesn't delay the rebellion?" Li Cong asked. He was worried that Xue Bai would not suppress the rebellion in order not to hand over power.
Dou Wenyang said: "How can Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi tolerate him?"
Li Cong still hesitated.
Dou Wenyang understands the saint's worries very well. If possible, he also wants to take back the military power for the saint. But the fact is here. If the saint gives it, the power will be in Xue Bai's hands; if the saint doesn't give it, the power will still be in Xue Bai's hands.
.
"If the saint is worried, I think... maybe we can send another supervisory army to King Yong to contact Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi and others."
As soon as this idea came up, Li Cong's mentality changed. From feeling a loss to feeling a gain, he asked: "Who should I send?"
Now there is no shortage of confidant eunuchs around him. Immediately, Bai Zhongzhen stood up and said: "I am willing to die for your majesty!"
"good!"
Li Cong was very grateful to see that he finally had a useful strategy and people who could use it.
Since ancient times, success has always depended on employing people, and it is no wonder that he has carefully cultivated these right-hand men.
~~
"Supervising the army?"
Xue Bai was a little funny after hearing Dou Wenyang's idea.
When he was guarding Chang'an and fighting against Li Heng, Li Cong relied on him in everything and never made conditions like this. Now it was just that Shi Siming had not yet reached Tongguan, and the situation seemed less urgent, so he naturally wanted to conduct more tests.
Although Xue Bai had a way to counter Li Cong, the most important thing now was to put down the rebellion. There was no need to waste time on this with a eunuch following him to supervise the army.
"I would like to obey the imperial edict." Xue Bai casually accepted the edict and said, "I would also like to name a few generals of Shuofang Army, can you?"
You come and I go, this is another condition of exchange, and Li Cong can only agree.
Finally, before the winter months passed, in the eastern suburbs of Chang'an, the emperor paid a farewell visit, and King Yong swore an oath to lead his army to the east.
"Go to war!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The three drums sounded and the army set off.
Hun Yao put on a brand new military robe and sat astride a tall horse. He looked up and saw the flag of King Yong not far away from him.
He knew that he was favored by King Yong, and King Yong wanted to win over him. It was not difficult to guess at all. A general like him who became famous at a young age, was proficient in riding and archery, and had excellent martial arts skills was also recruiting and surrendering his servant Gu Huai'en.
If you have made great achievements, of course you will be favored.
But there are many people who appreciate him, but few people know his ambition.
He aspired to make contributions to the Tang Dynasty, ascend the Lingyan Pavilion, and become a loyal minister and good general who will go down in history. Of course, he is loyal to the saint. Now that the country has been established, King Yong is plotting to usurp it, and he is very repulsive anyway.
Moreover, he is a person who cannot be deceived by wealth, poverty or humbleness, and can not be subdued by force. He will definitely not be deceived!
Sure enough, when the team arrived at Tongguan, Xue Bai came to talk to Hun Yao, pretending to be chatting casually, and trying to win over him.
After just a few words of conversation, Hun Yao immediately expressed his attitude.
Xue Bai seemed to find it funny after hearing this, and asked: "Climbing Lingyan Pavilion... But do you know that the first group of people who were painted on Lingyan Pavilion were also traitors."