When Ashina Zhong returned to the mansion, his wife, the Lord of Dingxiang County, was sitting in the hall. Seeing him enter, she hurriedly led the maids to come forward to serve him and take off his cloak, wash him with warm water, and serve him hot tea.
Just took a seat.
After taking a sip of tea, Ashina Zhong let out a breath of air-conditioning, feeling warm all over, and complained: "In the coldest month of winter, after finishing my busy work at the manor outside the city, I thought I would go back to my hometown to spend the festival with the county lord, but I ended up in Fangmen.
There is so much trouble outside. Although Fang Er is not serving in the navy, the arrogant soldiers he has trained are really not easy to deal with..."
Then he told what happened outside the square gate.
The Lord of Dingxiang County is over thirty years old, but he has inherited the beauty of his mother, Concubine Wei. Her face is like a peach blossom, her skin is as good as snow, and her figure is graceful and charming. Wearing a brocade palace skirt, she looks more and more gorgeous and radiant.
However, after hearing her husband's complaint, she looked a little panicked. She hesitated for a moment, pursed her lips, and wondered: "It was spread in the city that King Wei was assassinated on the day he arrived. Although I don't know why there was no news after that, but I am afraid that he was worried.
It is inevitable that there will be more guards, and it is also necessary to be more cautious...Both the King of Wei and the Second Fang are arrogant and domineering, and one of them is a royal prince and the other is a favorite of His Majesty.
I have suffered a loss, I have been wronged...but it is better not to come after you."
Ashina Zhong was drinking tea. He was stunned when he heard this. When he saw his wife's embarrassed and panicful expression, he suddenly woke up and said with a smile: "What do you think, Lord of the County? I am not one of those brave and arrogant young people."
Xinxing, how can you come to the door to argue over such a trivial matter? The reason why I want to go with you to give gifts is just because the King of Wei is our neighbor, so we can't turn a blind eye to the lack of etiquette. No matter what, we are all
They are considered relatives."
Of course, this "relative" is very rich.
The head of Dingxiang County was the daughter of Concubine Wei Guifei. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, she was married to Ashina Zhong by Emperor Taizong. However, she was not the biological daughter of Emperor Taizong, but the daughter of Concubine Wei Guifei and her ex-husband. After the death of her biological father, Concubine Wei
She married Emperor Taizong and took the head of Dingxiang County with her.
Emperor Taizong had a universal mind and great talents, so he would not treat such a stepdaughter well. Although he married a Turkic barbarian by marriage, Ashina was loyal to his grandfather Shibi Khan and his uncle Qimin Khan.
The Turkic royal family is not aggrieved.
However, the Lord of Dingxiang County often felt inferior because he was not the biological daughter of Emperor Taizong. He did not have much contact with the children of Emperor Taizong. Now he was afraid that Ashina Zhong would come to visit and cause trouble for the King of Wei. This was precisely because of this.
Moreover, Concubine Wei and Princess Linchuan, the daughter of Emperor Taizong, were married to Zhou Daowu. These two were also the sisters and sons-in-law of the Dingxiang County Lord. Their relationship with Fang Jun was extremely bad, and the Navy had always been regarded as a member of Fang Jun's team.
.
In the event of a conflict between the two parties, it would be really difficult for her to be in the middle...
The Lord of Dingxiang County breathed a sigh of relief and took Ashina Zhong's hand. His eyes were shining brightly, and his love couldn't be hidden and overflowed: "It's my fault that I caused Lang Jun to suffer such grievances. Lang Jun was originally from the grassland.
The eagle soaring in the sky has to fold its wings and be trapped among the houses in this city. It is difficult to fulfill its ambition and humble."
"Haha, how can the county master say that?"
Ashina Zhong laughed, "If these words get out, there is no guarantee that they will not be accused of being 'carrying for the motherland' and 'resentful and dissatisfied'. It would be fine if Emperor Taizong was still alive, thinking that I would follow him to conquer the south and the north."
His achievements will only be laughed at, but if a narrow-minded, jealous and suspicious emperor is involved, I'm afraid he will be in big trouble."
"Ah?" The princess of Dingxiang County turned pale: "I didn't mean that, I just feel sorry that my husband has to be inferior to others because of me..."
"Don't be stupid, who will laugh at you? No matter what, you are the county head conferred by Emperor Taizong. Others can only envy you, not laugh at you."
Ashina Zhong held his wife's soft palm with his backhand, smiled and comforted: "I, Ashina Zhong, a seven-foot-long husband, full of blood and courage, how can a husband be more noble than his wife? I married you not because you are the head of the county, but because
I want to marry you."
The rugged-looking Hu athletes are not only good at leaping horses, wielding swords, and charging into battle, they are also very good at speaking thoughtful words...
The Lord of Dingxiang County was coaxed to smile as brightly as a flower, and his sorrow disappeared.
…
Li Tai got up before dawn, washed and changed clothes, and then sat in the hall to receive an audience from Luoyang officials. He congratulated him, talked about boring things, and kept his spirits up until he couldn't stand it anymore, so he ordered his followers to thank the guests behind closed doors.
Anyone can just accept the gift and it won't be seen.
After finally calming down, I took a sip of tea and let out a long breath.
It was okay when he was in Chang'an City. Even the "No. 1 Prince in the World" was only looked at by others and did not do anything too excessive. But when he arrived in Luoyang City, his status was immediately raised and his worth was a hundred times higher. Anyone could think of it.
Get close to him, even give him heavy gifts just to show your face in front of him...
It's really exhausting to deal with it.
However, before he had time to relax, someone came to report that Duke Ashina Zhong of Xue State and the head of Dingxiang County came to pay a visit...
Li Tai was speechless and sighed: "Let's meet."
Whether it is "Xue Guogong" Ashina Zhong, who was a member of the Turkic royal family and made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty, or the "stepsister" brought by Concubine Wei when she married Emperor Taizong of Dingxiang County, they are different from others.
Can't help but see.
Not long after, Ashina Chung and his wife entered the main hall, and Li Tai stood up to greet them. After both parties finished the ceremony, they each took their seats.
Ashina Zhong smiled and said: "I heard that His Highness came to Luoyang to take up his duties two days ago, but the minister happened to be dealing with some matters outside the city and could not come to greet His Highness at the first time. I was really uneasy. Today is the Lantern Festival.
, I will bring some delicacies and game from the village to His Highness as a tooth-beating offering, and I hope you won’t dislike it.”
"What did Mr. Xue Guo say? I am so frightened... Publicly speaking, you are a hero who followed Emperor Taizong to conquer the world. Personally speaking, we belong to uncle Lang and are close relatives in ethics. We can just be more casual with each other on weekdays. Why don't you care about those false etiquette.
?”
Li Tai responded with a smile, and then said to the Lord of Dingxiang County: "I have been in Luoyang for a few days, and I heard that you almost stay behind closed doors and stay in the house all day? This is not good. Although I know that you don't like to socialize,
But you should also go out and walk around from time to time. Being stuck in the house all the time will make you feel depressed and depressed. It will definitely feel better if you walk around and talk to someone."
The Lord of Dingxiang County quickly nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, brother. I will definitely obey you in the future."
Li Tai smiled helplessly, looking at the beautiful face that resembled his mother Wei Guifei and his aunt Wei Nizi, and said in a very friendly tone: "It's just a suggestion. Brothers and sisters can talk casually, there is no need to be so formal."
Turning to look at Ashina Zhong: "My brother-in-law has lived in Luoyang all year round, and he must be very familiar with the local customs. As a brother, I come here this time to bear His Majesty's high hopes. I really feel that the responsibility is heavy. If necessary, I hope that my brother-in-law can help me."
OK."
Faced with Li Tai's unrepentant wooing, Ashina Zhong was at a loss: "The minister is just a military general, and his troops are all outside the fortress. He is really incompatible with all the civil servants in Luoyang City. Moreover, civil and military careers are different, so I really don't know why."
There is no place where I can serve His Highness. But as long as His Highness has an order, I will spare no effort and follow it to the letter."
It's not impossible to serve you, but it's impossible without reservation. After all, I'm not alone. There are many people outside the wall waiting for my blessing. So whether I serve you or not, the score will be...
Naturally, Li Tai would not expect Ashina Chung to bow down to him with empty words. It was enough to reveal some wishes today and test Ashina Chung's position.
After all, compared to the entire officialdom of Luoyang, a person with such a prominent position and noble status as Ashinazhong is definitely out of place. As long as he is willing to give up his own interests, it is not difficult to win him over. With such a person to help him, he will not appear out of place.
Alone and alone.
"Isn't this obvious? You and I are all members of the same family. As long as you support me, how can I treat you badly? If nothing else, if the Ashina family is interested in sea trade, I will give you the Navy Vice Admiral tomorrow.
If you come here, I will ensure that you go to sea smoothly and return home with a full load."
Benefits are not just words. Although it is impossible to offer them with both hands without doing anything, you must also make them tangible and visible to the other party.
"Oh, who in the world doesn't know that His Highness has a close relationship with Fang Jun? Who wouldn't be jealous of the huge benefits of sea trade? However, the Ashina family is based on the grassland and is beyond their reach overseas. If we can take advantage of His Highness's
By working hard to achieve this, the entire Ashina clan is grateful for His Highness's kindness... In this way, we rely on Your Highness."
I agree to your condition. As long as you give me enough benefits, I will stand by you.
Li Tai laughed: "As long as you are interested, this matter is conclusive. I still have some respect with Fang Jun, so I will definitely facilitate this matter... Today is a festive day, and my sister and brother-in-law are here. Let's not talk about mundane things.
I will immediately ask someone to prepare a banquet, and we will get drunk together until we get drunk."
The benefits lie here. Whether you want to eat it or not, and whether you can eat it or not, depends on your performance. Has there ever been anything in the world where you get something for nothing?
"That's why I'm bothering His Highness. It's just that although I respect and admire Your Highness, I will never admit defeat when it comes to drinking."
Ashina stroked his beard and laughed.
During the conversation, the cooperation framework between them was determined. Although Li Tai hoped to use the power of Ashina Zhong to open up a better situation in Luoyang City, Ashina Zhong did not want to follow Li Tai's ladder to re-enter the center of imperial power.
?
The two sides can be considered to hit it off. Of course, the specific extent of cooperation needs to be gradually adjusted in various subsequent practices... But in general, they definitely get what they need and are very happy to meet each other.
Suddenly there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, and he walked in quickly without even having time to ask for instructions: "Your Highness, there is a convoy coming from Chang'an, and the person in charge of escorting the car is a close associate of the Duke of Yue. He said it is the Duke of Yue.
Donations raised to support His Highness’ important mission in Luoyang.”
Donate?
Li Tai, Ashina Zhong and the head of Dingxiang County were surprised at the same time. Li Tai asked: "How much is it?"
The attendant swallowed subconsciously and said slightly excitedly: "Eight...eight hundred thousand strings!"
Ashina Zhong's eyes suddenly lit up, 800,000 yuan?! Mom, how much is this? He also heard about the Chang'an clan raising money to compensate Fang Jun, but he never thought that Fang Jun would actually spend such a huge amount of money.
Money and silk were "donated" to the King of Wei. The relationship between the King of Wei and Fang Jun was indeed extraordinary. It was not just as simple as "some face" as the King of Wei said?
Such a huge amount of money and silk will definitely help the king of Wei run smoothly. If we can get some profit from it...
However, Li Tai's performance shocked Ashina Chung and his wife. Instead of showing any sign of joy, His Highness jumped to his feet and yelled: "Mother! This bastard Fang Er is indeed the one who did it!"