The time soon came to the second year of Longshuo in the Tang Dynasty. This year was destined to be an eventful year. First of all, in the second month of Jiazi, Emperor Gaozong issued an edict to change the names of the departments and officials in the capital: Shangshu Province was called Zhongtai, and Menxia Province was called Dongtai.
Zhongshu Province is called Xitai, left and right servants are called left and right Kuangzheng, left and right prime ministers are Suji, Shizhong is called left prime minister, Zhongshu Ling is called right prime minister, etc.
In March, Zuowuwei General Zheng Rentai and Zuowuwei General Xue Rengui led their troops to conquer the Tongluo, Pugu and other tribes of the Nine Tribes of Tiele and achieved a great victory. Emperor Gaozong was overjoyed when he heard the news and held a banquet in honor of his ministers.
Since Li Xian was appointed governor of Bingzhou in the first year, although he only held a fictitious position, as Gaozong's favored prince, he also participated in the feast.
However, Li Xian behaved very plainly and low-key throughout the banquet. He did not laugh as heartily as Gaozong, nor did he flatter Gaozong by boasting about Zheng Rentai, Xue Rengui and others who had come to the limelight through this battle. At this time, Gaozong
She was in a high mood and did not take care of Li Xian. Instead, Empress Wu noticed Li Xian's expression and couldn't help but secretly wonder that this little guy who likes to join in the fun was so quiet today. This can be regarded as a miracle.
There was another person who noticed Li Xian's expression. This person had a high position and high reputation. He was Sikong, a three-generation veteran and one of the two military gods of the Tang Dynasty.
Examine Luo Governor Shi Li Ji.
Li Ji, whose original name was Xu Shiji and whose courtesy name was Maogong, was the legendary military advisor who made Taizong Li Shimin obey his advice. Because of his outstanding achievements, he was given the surname Li by Emperor Gaozu, and his name was Li Shiji. Later, to avoid Taizong's taboo, he changed his name to Li Ji.
As early as when Li Xian was born, Li Ji heard all kinds of strange things about this prince who was about the same age as his eldest grandson Jingye, but he didn't really take it to heart. Because for a prince who was a little smart, he didn't know what he was doing.
Not worthy of his attention.
But this time Li Ji saw that Li Xian not only did not follow the crowd and expressed joy at the banquet celebrating Zheng Rentai's victory, but instead had a hint of worry on his face, he couldn't help but be surprised and thought to himself: "It seems that this son
He is not as ignorant of government affairs as outsiders say, but is extremely shrewd. At a young age, he is well versed in the art of concealment. It seems that his purpose is not trivial. If this is true, I am afraid that the Tang Dynasty will be in great trouble in the future.
To be cautious, I'd better find an opportunity to test this guy."
Ever since he noticed that Li Xian's expression was different, Li Ji's eyes had not left him. He waited until Li Xian finally excused himself to go to the toilet and walked out of the palace, then quietly followed him.
When Li Ji came outside the palace, he found Li Xian standing quietly under the moonlight. His expression could not be said to be happy or sad. He couldn't help but stop for a moment, and then asked: "It's cold in the night, how can the king go out alone despite the cold wind?"
"
Naturally, Li Xian had noticed Li Ji's gaze a long time ago, and it was precisely because of this that he made an excuse to walk out of the palace, preparing to make a good show of friendship with this veteran of three dynasties.
Because he knew that the man in front of him was a rare wise man in the Tang Dynasty. He was favored not only by Emperor Gaozu but also by Emperor Taizong.
After Empress Wu, the courtiers objected, and Gaozong had no choice but to ask Li Ji. Li Ji easily solved the problem by saying, "Your Majesty's family matters, why bother asking outsiders?" So even Empress Wu was very grateful to this person. He believed that as long as he could get
With this old man's praise, I will definitely get great benefits from Empress Gao Zongwu.
But Li Xian also knew that this man was a famous pure minister of the Tang Dynasty, who only thought about the country. If he showed the slightest ambition in front of the other party, he would definitely arouse his vigilance. With Empress Wu's shrewdness, as long as Li Xian
Ji gave a little hint in front of her that he would not live a good life in the future.
Therefore, Li Xian decided to continue to adopt the strategy of concealment and find a way to hide this old fox in front of him. However, this person is not generally difficult to deal with. If he pretends to have no trace, I am afraid it will arouse the other party's suspicion, so this matter
It must be done just right.
Although Li Xian knew deeply that with his current wisdom, it might not be extremely difficult to hide the wisdom of the ages from Li Ji. Fortunately, he was only a five or six-year-old child now, and he understood the other party relatively thoroughly.
, but it’s not too difficult to hide this from this person.
Therefore, when Li Xian heard Li Ji's voice, he immediately trembled with fright, as if he didn't realize there was anyone behind him. When he saw it was Li Ji, he bowed down and said: "It turns out that it's Grandfather Mao, Grandfather Sun."
My son, Li Xian, is very polite."
"Don't you dare, your Majesty, with the dignity of a prince, addresses you like this and is so polite, how can I bear it? What's more, in terms of positions, your Majesty is the shepherd of Luozhou, and I am the governor of Luozhou, so I should be your subordinate.
Logically speaking, the old man should bow first."
After finishing speaking, Li Ji wanted to salute Li Xian, but Li Xian quickly stopped him and said with a smile: "Grandpa Mao, this is a shame for the little king. You have made outstanding contributions to the Tang Dynasty and assisted my great ancestor."
, Taizong and today's three generations of emperors. In the past, my father was the governor of Bingzhou, and my father was the chief historian. Later, my father became the prince. He assisted and taught me attentively. He also had a close relationship with my maternal grandfather, Shi Yangong, and my mother always regarded him as the chief minister.
I am my uncle, and later I got the power of my husband to worship me as the queen. I always said in front of the little king that I want him to treat me as my grandfather. I have such a connection with my parents, and I deserve to be called my grandfather by the little king.
.My dynasty flaunts its filial piety to the world, and the Duke is the ancestor. How can I salute the little king? Is it because I want to undermine the little king?"
"In that case, I would be rude." Li Ji couldn't help but smile when he saw Li Xian praising him so sincerely. He said something along the lines of the flow, and his wariness against him was reduced by more than half.
However, Li Ji did not forget his original intention of coming here. He mentioned the old words again and said to Li Xian: "Where did I ask you just now? By the way, it's late at night and the sky is cold. How can the king go out alone despite the cold wind?"
"Haha, why do you ask me knowingly? My grandson is really worried about my war situation on the Western Front, so he looks worried, but he doesn't want his flaw to be seen." Li Xian did not hide it, and directly admitted that he
idea.
"Oh? Now that Zheng Rentai and Xue Rengui have defeated Tiele, and the whole court is congratulating them, why does the king have to worry?" Li Ji seemed to be very casual about this and asked with a smile.
Li Xian, however, had piercing eyes, and he could tell at a glance that Li Ji cared about this question. Since he knew Li Ji's purpose from the beginning, he naturally had a countermeasure now, but on the surface he seemed to be hesitant.
After a long time, he finally said: "The little king heard that although General Zheng won the victory, he launched a massive plunder, and although General Xue targeted the Tianshan Mountains with three arrows, he is brave when he is brave, but after the Tiele tribe surrendered, they all were trapped.
, Therefore, the young king has the foolish opinion that the two generals are more than brave, but lack of kindness, which will definitely arouse stronger resistance. Even if they win for a while, it will eventually be detrimental to the country."
"I am deeply impressed by the words of your Majesty. Zheng Rentai and Xue Rengui claim to be heroic, but their strength is easily broken, and they are destined to fail. Your Majesty is so smart at such a young age. It is indeed a blessing to us, the Tang Dynasty."
Li Ji praised Li Xian very much on the surface, but in his heart he did not agree with Li Xian's theory, because fighting does not rely on kindness. Sometimes kindness to the enemy is irresponsible to one's own people. He missed Li Xian.
Ji Ji has been fighting all his life and has never been a merciful master, but after hearing what Li Xian just said, his doubts about Li Xian completely disappeared.
"Am I being too suspicious? How old is this child? How can he have such strategic tactics?" Li Ji couldn't help but laugh to himself that he was too suspicious, and at the same time he was secretly ashamed that he was so suspicious of a young child.
But at this time, Li Xian did not want to let him go, but said loudly: "Since Grandpa Mao saw that the two generals were bound to fail, why didn't he report to the emperor or order him to issue an edict to order the two generals?"
Change your strategy to avoid such a defeat?"
Li Ji smiled bitterly and shook his head, then gently touched Li Xian's head and said: "The king is unaware of something. There are systems in the army. The generals are outside, and the emperor's orders are not accepted. The two generals are the chief and deputy generals in charge of the army.
With full command and authority, not to mention being old and decrepit, even a saint would find it difficult to interfere. What’s more, the border is far away and the situation is changeable. Even if the edict arrives, the war may be over."
In fact, this was just Li Ji's superficial answer, and the profound meaning in it was not understandable to outsiders at all. However, Li Xian knew this well. Five years after Xianqing, Gaozong suddenly made a mistake. In view of the young prince and the weight of the ministers, he
The political affairs were handed over to Empress Wu, who took the opportunity to expand her power. Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Cui Yixuan, Wang Dejian, Yuan Gongyu, Hou Shanye and others also joined him one after another. This made Gaozong feel vaguely uneasy, so he began to fight for power with Empress Wu.
This time, the Nine Tribes of Tiele rebelled. In order to consolidate his power, Emperor Gaozong appointed his trusted generals Zheng Rentai and Xue Rengui to go on an expedition, so that they could be rewarded after their victory and meritorious service. Empress Wu recommended Qibi Heli, a general from Tiele.
, but was rejected by Gaozong. This time the two generals won, Empress Wu was naturally displeased. Therefore, although Li Ji knew that Zheng Rentai's ability was not enough to quell Tiele's rebellion, he did not dare to say anything, fearing that this move would lead to
Offending Empress Wu, she changed her strategy of remaining neutral in the struggle between the two saints.
"Well, I am old. The family fortune that I have worked hard to build over the years cannot be ruined because of a moment of confusion. Therefore, now the defeat of the second general can only be kept secret and let the situation develop naturally. As for this kid,
I have to find a way to seal his mouth, otherwise once I am involved, I won’t be able to sit on the sidelines like I am now.”
Li Ji looked at Li Xian in front of him, thought for a moment, and then asked: "I have always heard that the king is smart. When I saw it today, it was indeed a well-deserved reputation. However, it is a pity that the king does not like to study. For example, what happened today, the king
Although it can be concluded that the two generals will be defeated, it is only analyzed from the perspective of benevolence and righteousness. It should be known that although benevolence and righteousness can be used in political management, it does not need to be rigid in military battle formations. In fact, if benevolence and Taiyuan are defeated, it should be because of courageous advancement. Otherwise,
There are several military books here that are difficult to understand. I believe that with the talent of the king, it may be difficult to understand them within half a year. You and I will make a bet today. If the king can really understand them, I will read Li Wei Gong's annotations.
The art of war is taught to your Majesty. If Lao Chan wins by chance, your Majesty will have to rely on Lao Chan. I wonder if your Majesty can take the gamble?"