Just when everyone in Liangzhou was working hard to collect information about the Tubo people in accordance with Li Po's edict, Zhang Lun and others had already entered Beijing.
Riding a horse on Chang'an Market, Zhang Lun's eyes were filled with prosperity when he came to Chang'an for the first time. Unsurprisingly, it compared with Jinyang, the largest city in his mind.
When he followed Li Yuan to the south, he wanted to come to Chang'an to have a look. Unfortunately, he was ostracized and was left in Jin.
Following the new master southward, he passed by this majestic city again, entered Guanxi from Tongguan, went non-stop to Qinzhou, then moved from Qinzhou to Shuzhong, then from Shuzhong to Jiangling, and entered Henan via Nanyang.
After a long journey, he traveled thousands of miles, and every time he calculated it, he felt extremely surprised. Unknowingly, Zhang Lun had traveled through so many places.
When he raised troops from Loufan to aid Yanmen, he was determined to fight for wealth and wealth, but Yang Guang, that bitch, patted his ass and left, and the promised reward disappeared like a fart.
At that time, he was full of resentment. If the army had not gathered to prevent him from making a mistake, he would have rebelled against his mother. He was young at that time, and even though he was full of passion and hope for the future, he never thought that he would be able to travel all over the world.
He traveled all over the country and became a general.
Seeing the pedestrians ducking on the side of the street one after another, looking at them curiously while saluting, Zhang Lunzhi smiled with satisfaction. Now, no matter where Zhang Lun goes, no one will dare to treat him lightly.
It's a pleasant life like this. After that... you should be able to aspire to the position of the Pillar Kingdom?
He was somewhat self-aware, and knew that he had not read any books and was from a low background. If he became an official in the court, he would be tricked by others, and he could only think of ways to achieve military success.
His ultimate goal was to gain honorary titles such as Shangzhu State's Great General and Founding Duke. He didn't even dare to think about going out of town. He planned to hang out in the army for the rest of his life.
The person who came to welcome them into the city was Xu Shiji. Looking at Zhang Lun's appearance, he smiled knowingly. Everyone who enters Chang'an City for the first time will be impressed by this big city, and at the same time, they will inevitably be ambitious.
Chang'an is a new city, but the word Chang'an has long been imprinted in people's hearts. It is in the same position as Luoyang, Jinyang, Jiangling and other ancient cities.
They are like symbols engraved on the land of the Central Plains, carrying history and the process of civilization.
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After Zhang Lun looked around, he still felt that this majestic city was indeed much more impressive than Jinyang. His family had also come to live in Chang'an a long time ago, and they had not seen each other for several years, and they "missed it" very much.
"Let some of you have a good night's rest. I'll host a banquet tomorrow night. How about inviting some of you to come over and let me come and cleanse the dust for you three?"
Several of them had been stationed in Hongnong back then and were serious acquaintances. Otherwise Xu Shiji would not have taken the initiative to ask for orders to greet them. According to military factions, they were a serious small circle.
Especially Zhang Shigui, who served under Zhang Lun after surrendering to the Tang Dynasty. He had a very good chance to catch up. It coincided with a period of rapid expansion. As a very capable cavalry general, he quickly stood out among the generals.
The momentum is very obvious.
At this time, Zhang Lun scratched his beard, shook his head and sighed: "Brother, you are kindly invited. We will definitely be there, but we can't rest well. We have to go to the Ministry of War to report. The Supreme Leader will summon us tomorrow night. Tomorrow night
Whether we can spare the time or not depends on whether we speak according to the Supreme Intention..."
At this point, he glared at Zhang Shigui, pointed at him rudely and said: "This guy never listens to what he says, so you should stop talking when the time comes. We finally met him once, but I can tell you, I'm pissed off."
Your Majesty, we will keep you in Chang'an and be a household dog."
Zhang Shigui rolled his eyelids and said nothing. Although he seemed a little unconvinced, he acquiesced. He actually understood what was wrong with him.
But as the saying goes, a country is easy to change, but a nature is hard to change. It is not easy to change this problem. When he was demoted, he kept a low profile. When he gained more military achievements, as his position became more prominent, his true nature resurfaced, just like before with Li Yuan.
, not many people in the army like to associate with him.
Therefore, a large part of the reason why he was not reused back then was actually due to himself.
For example, Ashina Danai and Wei Zheng, who were brought to Jin by him and presented as a meeting gift, had a strong opinion of him.
Nowadays, they are all the people around the emperor. Maybe when it happens, it may make him unable to eat and walk around.
Xue Wanche gloated and laughed. He didn't like Zhang Shigui very much. No one was as good as him. Although they were stationed together in Hongnong for a while and went to Shandong together, the relationship between the two
It can only be said to be average.
Seeing Zhang Shigui glaring over at him, he just ignored him and asked Xu Shiji with a smile, "Does your consort know what the Supreme Being has called us back for? Tell us so that we can have some idea and won't say the wrong thing in front of the Supreme Being.
.”
Just don't forget to stimulate Zhang Shigui. Obviously, they didn't get along happily in Shandong.
The term "consort" is not a pleasant term for a general in the army, but this is Xu Shiji's most proud work in his life. He is not a person who complains about the insufficient food after eating delicious food.
He said happily: "Since Brother Xue asked, I will just say a few words and just listen, but I can't be sure..."
The three people all pricked up their ears, and Zhang Lun waved his hand to tell the guards to stay away.
Xu Shiji said: "I heard that Tubo has risen on the highlands. Manager Fan of Liangzhou has asked for help from the court several times. The Supreme Leader also attaches great importance to that place and is asking people from the northwest to find out what's going on in the highlands and the origins of the Tubo people.
I heard that the secretary-supervisor was already searching the classics to search for the origin of the Tubo people. It can be seen that the northwest has become a place of use again, and it is likely that soldiers will be sent there.
The other thing is the alliance with the Turks. Once it happens, there must be large soldiers accompanying it.
So in my opinion, these are the only places where the three can be used. The other places are all for suppressing bandits. Didn’t the three of them kill a chicken with a knife?"
What Xu Shiji said coincided with their previous guesses, but it became much clearer at once. After a few people nodded, they all said sourly in their hearts, he is indeed a prince-in-law, and he is not a little bit better informed than us.
The three of them felt a little confident, and started chatting and laughing with Xu Shiji, talking about the personnel changes in the army. Xu Shiji had just returned from Hebei and was very familiar with these.
They also talked about a topic that is now very popular among military generals, that is, the establishment of Zhechong Mansion. They all believed that this matter would not affect the armies everywhere for the time being.
However, if there are not many wars in the next few years, the army will definitely reduce its troops. There are too many standing troops and the court can afford them for a while. It will definitely not continue like this.
The Zhechong mansions established one after another in various places may take in some people. It is also necessary to set up military towns in key places. Those who can be retained will be the elite of the army.
As a result, the generals will definitely have to return to Beijing one after another to report on their duties, and the issue of the distribution of military offices will soon become a target for the generals to compete with each other.
In fact, they have all realized that there will be fewer and fewer opportunities to make military achievements in the future, and it is estimated that when the time comes to go out to guard the border, people will break their heads to fight for it.
Speaking of this, the mood of several people became obviously depressed. They had grown up during the war and were still in their prime of life, so their desire for military glory had become their instinct.
Thinking about the days when there was no battle to fight, I felt very uncomfortable.
This is one of the common dilemmas that generals face after the world is unified. Emperors in the past dynasties are very wary of heroes and good generals. Firstly, they are difficult to control because of their great achievements. Secondly, there is no reward for them. Thirdly, there is no way to arrange them.
, so it’s better to just kill him.
For example, Li Po has already realized this and is actively looking for a way out for the generals. While maintaining the combat effectiveness of each department, he can also appease the restless hearts of the generals.
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When the three outstanding generals returned to the capital, there was no ceremony like standing in the street to welcome them. They were as low-key as ordinary officials returning to the capital to report on their duties.
Zhang Lun and others were not very aware of this, mainly because many famous figures were killed in the war to pacify the princes.
Zhang Lun and others had great military exploits, but they could not lead the group. There were many people who had more military exploits than them. In addition, the emperor had deep prestige in the army, so when they arrived in Chang'an, they all picked up the people consciously or unconsciously.
How can they hope that there will be a grand ceremony waiting for them if they have lost their tail?
If the requirements are not high, they will not feel treated lightly. Having Xu Shiji, the consort, comes to welcome them, which actually makes them feel very comforted.
Several of them went directly to the Ministry of War to report. Xu Shiji took them to the Ministry of War and made another appointment before leaving.
Zhang Lun and others met directly with Yu Chixin, the Minister of War. They were all former colleagues in the army. Yuchixin had more seniority than them, so there was no obstacle to conversation.
Then he went to see Wen Yanbo, the minister Zuopushe. Wen Yanbo expressed good words and comfort to several generals who had not yet left for the expedition. He was different from Yuchi Xin. There were many tests during the conversation, and he had been observing several generals.
look and behavior.
Seeing that they were careful in their words and deeds and not arrogant, Wen Yanbo felt relieved and said with a smile: "The Supreme Being has learned that several generals have returned and is very happy. He said that these generals have worked hard and have made great achievements. Now they have returned to Beijing from a long way, so they agreed to leave."
On the fifth day, you can have a good rest and reunite with your family.
We can meet you in the palace in five days, and we will probably give you a banquet in the Liangyi Palace. I also ask a few generals to prepare it, so as not to be rude in front of you."
Zhang Lun smiled and nodded in agreement. The other two people stopped talking at this time and followed his lead.
"We haven't seen the Supreme Being for several years, and we all miss him very much. I can rest assured, but how can we dare to talk nonsense in front of the Supreme Being?
It’s just that… we are not very familiar with the etiquette in this court, and we still have a few days to spare, why not send a few people who understand etiquette to teach us?”
Zhang Lun has always been very cunning, and he immediately expressed his respect for small requests.