The three chiefs of the Military Intelligence Department each have their own backgrounds and very different personalities. If there is anything they have in common, it is that these three are all miserable people.
Zhang Liang used to be a farmer, but he struggled to survive in the war in Henan, and turned into a scheming and ruthless bandit.
Yawen library
Xie Zheng served in Youzhou at that time. In the eighth year of Daye's reign, he accompanied the army to conquer Liaodong. After he retired, he stayed in Huaiyuan Town.
In the tenth year of Daye's reign, he surrendered to the Turks.
Later, Ashina Yang Huan became the Khan. In the third year, Xie Zheng went to Jinyang as an envoy, and then stayed in Jinyang to serve Li Po.
Xie Zheng was born in the Xie family of Chen County, and Xie An, a famous official in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, was one of their branch. During the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, Xie, the king of Cui Lu, was said to be a common surname in the world, although the Xie family was only at the end of other surnames.
Their history is extremely long, but it is just because there were too many branches of the Xie family at that time, and most of them had their own origins. They were not as cohesive as the other major surnames, so they were ranked second.
In fact, the Xie family's descendants are distributed in the north and south, and there have been countless famous ministers and generals in the past dynasties. They are the most famous families with Han surnames in the Central Plains. Other wealthy families with Han surnames are somewhat eclipsed in front of them.
Xie Zheng was born in a good family, but his experience was extremely rough. After joining the Military Intelligence Department, he became the most low-key among the three people in charge. According to his own words, he was deeply ashamed of his defection to the Turks and did not dare to
Then take credit in front of others.
Others disagreed. When the Hu people took over the Central Plains, weren't members of the Xie family their officials? Otherwise, how could several of their Han surnamed families be ranked alongside the Hu aristocrats during the Northern Wei Dynasty?
Liu Chaozong was more direct than Xie Zheng. He said directly that I had done something wrong back then and I was sorry for my wife, children and children. However, above all important matters, I was open-minded and could not tell anyone anything.
It can be said that Liu Chaozong had a strong heart, but when he gave his youngest son to Zhu Can, he suffered from heart disease and was depressed all day long, so he had no ambition.
Among the three, Liu Chaozong was actually the most capable and courageous. He was often the one doing the work when he was away from home, so he became the one with the greatest merit among the three.
If he had been more motivated, Zhang Liang's position might not be secure.
Nowadays, the three of them are still in peace with each other. They each take care of their own affairs. When they get together, they have discussions and there is no power struggle. This is one of the reasons why the Military Intelligence Department has grown rapidly in recent years.
The three of them are all people who have suffered severe psychological trauma and can understand each other's difficulties, so they have been cooperating well. It can be regarded as a very special yamen independent of the three provinces and six ministries, the nine temples, the David's Mansion, etc.
…………
It is precisely because of their independence that Li Po can decide the fate of the Military Intelligence Department without consulting other people.
Abolition of the Military Intelligence Department was just a matter of words from him, but he understood that it was definitely an extremely stupid decision.
Governing the world requires not only fair and aboveboard methods, but also other shady and private means. Yin and yang are used together, and the combination of righteousness and eccentricity is the way to govern the country.
As the saying goes, governing a country does not depend on means, but only on proportion. Managing a big country is like cooking small dishes. This is what it means.
…………
"Don't think nonsense. You guys go back and prepare. I want to build another military mansion besides the Wei Mansion, and the three of you will be in charge of it.
As usual, you keep asking me about the affairs of the court and local affairs. As my eyes and ears, you should stay less involved in the affairs of the country. You should also be more careful in your dealings with people. If you find out any important news, report it to me truthfully.
Can.
On which day you participated in a court dispute, spoke favorably to someone, or spoke ill of someone, by that time, you should know what the outcome would be, right?"
Zhang Liang stood up in fear and prostrated himself on the ground, expressing his loyalty repeatedly. His groveling look made Sun Fujia, who was standing in the hall, quite ashamed.
He didn't know much about what kind of bureau the Military Intelligence Department was, but he had heard about it, and it became clearer now that it turned out to be a private song of the emperor, and had the same character as the internal and external marquis officials of the former Sui Dynasty.
Sun Fujia was naturally disgusted with an office like the Military Intelligence Department. He stared at Zhang Liang for a few times, and the image of a sycophant had already been established in his mind.
…………
Zhang Liang didn't know that someone had already labeled him as a sycophant in his heart. In fact, even if he knew about it, it would be nothing to him.
He only has eyes for the emperor, admonishing the officials? What are those things? If you get angry, I will pull your tail and see who of us can survive to the end.
Despite Zhang Liang's fearful expression, he actually felt very at peace in his heart. The emperor intended to establish a new military office, which meant that the Military Intelligence Department could show its face.
And in that case, wouldn't Zhang Liang be on par with those generals? It's a pleasure...
As for the emperor's warning, it was the same every time he met the driver. As time went by, he didn't care much about it. The few people he interacted with were all people who could protect him at critical moments.
As for other people, even if Zhang Liang wanted to associate with them, he wouldn't be able to establish any friendship, right?
As for Liu Chaozong and Xie Zheng, Zhang Liang has more in mind than him, so there is no need to give special instructions...
Li Po waved his hand and asked him to sit down, and continued: "Outside of the Tang Dynasty, you can do whatever you want. If one day you say that the life of the Turkic Khan is in your hands, I will let you all enter the Ling Dynasty."
Yan Pavilion enjoys the worship of descendants."
The pie was a bit big, so Zhang Liang didn't dare to move it, but his eyes were red with gratitude, "Your Majesty and your ministers are so kind to each other, I feel so grateful for it.
In February, I heard that Your Majesty wanted to form an alliance with the Turks, so I had already sent people to Yulin and other places to inquire about it. By then, Your Majesty would be heading north, and if there was any slight disturbance, it would not be hidden from my eyes and ears..."
Li Po smiled and nodded, "I'm reassured that you always do things carefully. No matter you are an official or work, you are always like this. If you act in advance, you can often get twice the result with half the effort.
If everyone in the court knows how to do things like you, why should I worry?"
After receiving the compliment, Zhang Liang said happily: "I just always want to do things to make His Majesty happy, but I don't deserve His Majesty's praise.
Speaking of your Majesty's trip to the capital this time to meet with the Turks, can I follow you? I haven't been out for a few years, so I would like to go with your Majesty to see it. Maybe your Majesty can also find a place for me."
He could hit snakes with a stick and take advantage of the situation, but Li Po liked the cleverness he showed now and said with a smile: "You can go if you want. The journey is a bit long, so don't complain then."
Zhang Liang cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty. As long as I can follow Your Majesty, I will suffer no matter how hard it is."
Li Po said: "Okay, don't try to be clever in front of me. There are only a few days left before the Beijing Examination. You need to calm down first and handle the things in front of you. We will talk about the rest later.
There is also the matter of setting up a military government office. The military government offices and military offices are all set up with military positions. You go back and discuss it with people and report it to see if you can get things done before the alliance, otherwise you won't be able to leave.