"Ahem. Your Majesty is out on patrol in disguise. There is no need to make too much noise. Master Meng does not need to be polite." As he spoke, the man named Wei Ming stretched out his hand to lift up a corner of the curtain of the green sedan. He bowed slightly and said. : "Your Majesty, the Meng Mansion has arrived."
"Yeah." The people inside looked very pale and feeble when they spoke. Then they saw a dragon shoe exposed in the sedan. Then they saw the Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, whom he hadn't seen for several months, slowly moving out of the sedan. He hadn't seen him for several months. .He is actually so old. His face is faintly pale due to lack of vitality and blood. Even his steps are weak. He doesn't look so sure-footed every step of the way.
Li Shimin is indeed old. He is like an old lion in his twilight years. Although his steel teeth are still there, they are not enough to hurt anyone.
"Your Majesty." Meng Xinghe immediately stretched out a hand to protect Li Shimin's arm: "I will support you."
Glancing at his attendant Wei Ming, Li Shimin gave half of his arm to Meng Xinghe for support. Usually a king attaches great importance to his body. Even if he is unwell, he will never show the slightest trace in front of his ministers. The country is at stake. It was a major event for the ancestors of Sheji. They were deeply afraid that some of their negative influences would cause shock to the government and the public. Therefore, they were extremely cautious in every move they made. Then they would be as easy-going as they are now. As Meng Xinghe walked into his mansion step by step.
In the courtyard, everyone was still in a state of joy. But then they saw Meng in front of the Meng Mansion. Mr. Meng supported the current emperor. Moreover, the relationship between the two was very subtle. It seemed that the younger generation showed extremely polite respect to their elders. How could this still be the king and the emperor? My ministers, they are obviously irreconcilable friends.
"Long live the Holy One."
With Li Shimin here, no one dared to sit down. They all stood up from their seats and knelt down.
"Everyone is safe." Li Shimin came to Du Ruhui and several other senior court officials: "I thought I was the only one here tonight. I didn't expect that all my dear friends are here. It seems that Lord Meng's house is full of distinguished guests. "
Meng Xinghe couldn't guess why Li Shimin condescended to come to a minister's house tonight. This seemed to be inconsistent with etiquette. "Everyone has heard that tonight, the minister ordered the entire Chang'an city to display fireworks. He came to the Meng Mansion specifically to watch the fireworks."
Li Shimin paused for a moment. Although there was no expression on his old face, the hint of displeasure just now was still caught in Meng Xinghe's eyes.
"Father."
At this moment, little Princess Sizi came over with a cup of tea brewed by herself: "My son, I will go back after playing for a while."
Seeing his beloved daughter, Li Shimin's face showed the truest smile. "Where is your second brother?"
"My son is here." Li Zhi emerged from the crowd of Du He. In fact, he really didn't want to meet his father. Li Zhi, who was used to living a carefree life, actually always felt that he was an idler in his heart. A prince is much happier than a king, so he has always been undisputed. Like his younger brother Li Tai, who is a historian in the Hanlin Academy, he is the kind of person who doesn't like to be restrained.
For his two children, Li Shimin naturally knew that they did not like the dull place of the palace. They would inevitably find ways to sneak out of the palace to try the new things outside. So he was not surprised at all. His two emperors who had grown up in their arms would not be surprised at all. He will appear at Meng Xinghe's house later.
"Let's go back to the palace with our father later." Li Shimin said lightly. He looked around and remained silent. In fact, he wanted Meng Xinghe to speak first.
"Your Majesty, I still have something to report."
Meng Xinghe was no fool. He found a good excuse to take Li Shimin to a deserted place. He knew that the old emperor's visit at night was definitely not as simple as looking for his prince.
This is a pavilion in the backyard of the Meng Mansion. On weekdays, only Mr. Meng sits in this pavilion. In the extremely clean pavilion, a small red clay stove is baking away the heat in the surrounding weather. Several of Meng Xinghe's After the ladies prepared pastries on the stone table in the pavilion, they all left the courtyard. At this moment, he and Li Shimin were the only two people left in the courtyard. Li Shimin was sitting. But Meng Xinghe did not dare to sit in front of the king. He had to stand.
"Meng Xinghe, do you know your sin?" Li Shimin sat there quietly. He had an innate aura of a king. Not everyone can deliberately imitate it. When he spoke, his eyes were filled with a certain aura of life and death. No matter who. Anyone who hears it will be shocked by the residual power.
Meng Xinghe looked uninformed: "I don't know what the crime is."
"Bold." Li Shimin just roared a little, but no one dared to underestimate him. Looking at Meng Xinghe's expression of disapproval, he mentally listed the crimes Meng Xinghe had committed like countless treasures, and settled the accounts one by one. : "The Taiping Religion is now under your control."
"Yes." It's strange that Li Shimin didn't know about the Taiping Sect. Meng Xinghe didn't hide it either. He answered cleanly. He knew that sooner or later, he would have to negotiate with Li Shimin about the Taiping Sect.
"It's okay for you to be honest." Li Shimin didn't look sick at all. From his old eyes, a shrewd light shone faintly, just like a lion looking at its injured prey.
"Lingnan Yang Guang's 40,000 elite soldiers are now under your name." Li Shimin continued to ask, fearing that Meng Xinghe would come up with other ideas when he took a breather.
"Yes." Meng Xinghe answered softly this time. Hoarding troops privately is a serious crime. And the private troops he hoarded are remnants of the previous dynasty. This alone would be enough to kill Meng Xinghe if he were charged with treason. Thousands of times.
"Okay, please sit down. I have something to do with you." After saying those two things, Li Shimin raised his hand and pointed to the stool opposite, indicating that Meng Xinghe could sit down.
Meng Xinghe anxiously sat down on an equal footing with the emperor. Although the stool was comfortable, it was like sitting on a thorn, which was painful.
"Your Majesty, actually, I came to Beijing this time because I have a few important things that I want to discuss with you."
"Well, I know. One thing is about the Tianping Sect. The other thing is about the recruitment of troops in Lingnan. How to do it. I can give you an idea." Li Shimin brought a cup of tea to his mouth. After drinking it. I dipped some tea in the cup with my finger and wrote a word on the table.
"Disperse."
Meng Xinghe understood immediately. He didn't know why Li Shimin made this decision. After all, these people are not allowed to be reused. I fear that one day when the Tang Dynasty is in crisis, they will be the most likely to turn against each other. But a word Do we really want all these soldiers to return to their hometowns to farm? They have been holding weapons all their lives. Is it a waste to suddenly pick up a hoe?
"Your Majesty, if all of these 100,000 soldiers are sent home, it will be a loss to the Tang Dynasty." Those people are working for their lives. If they can't even win this right to stay, then they might as well It's so satisfying to resist the imperial court all the time. Why must I be recruited in such a frustrating way?
"Tell me about it. If you can impress me, I can consider it." Li Shimin looked at Meng Xinghe with a smile. This guy has the best idea. He is also looking forward to how Meng Xinghe will convince him to recruit these 100,000 troops.
His throat felt a little dry. Meng Xinghe took a sip of tea first and sorted it out in his mind. He felt that this method was feasible and said: "The Tang Dynasty has a total of ten troops. In addition to the Imperial City Forbidden Army, your Majesty can only issue an imperial edict. In these ten
Among the Dao army, another group of soldiers led by the Imperial City Imperial Army were stationed at the Ten Dao Military Mansion. This pair of soldiers was directly commanded by the Holy Lord. The Ten Dao and the subordinate states did not directly lead this group of soldiers. Instead, this group of soldiers was directed by the subordinate military palace.
The duty is to carry out checks and balances. This can effectively prevent the state army from cliques and separatism."
Li Shimin thought thoughtfully. Meng Xinghe's idea is not new. But it is the only most effective way to eliminate Li Shimin's suspicion of those returning soldiers. Just imagine. The ten military mansions were leading their own troops, but they were suddenly attacked by the imperial city's army.
Restriction. These two armies will never get along well. Li Shimin naturally does not have to worry about the pair of soldiers rebelling, because the local military government will seize them at any time. At the same time, it can also restrict the troops that the local military government secretly hoards.
This method kills two birds with one stone.
Li Shimin did not agree immediately. He still needed to go back to the palace to think about this matter.
His eyes fell on Meng Xinghe's face. After a while, he said calmly: "There is one more thing. I have to tell you personally. You also know that although the barbarians in the northwest have long surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, they have never done so.
Truly surrender to the Tang Dynasty. As you know, I am already old. It is time to pave some paths for my successor."
"I know." Meng Xinghe's expression was very calm. He knew that Li Shimin's purpose of coming here tonight must be to talk about this matter. "If your Majesty thinks that with the power of one person, you can make the Tang Dynasty and the Turks have eternal friendship.
Okay. As a citizen of the Tang Dynasty, I should share the worries of the Holy One. However, before that, I have one more thing that requires the Holy One’s approval.”
"Tell me." Li Shimin frowned, as if he had guessed what Meng Xinghe would ask.
Sure enough, Meng Xinghe's problem was what Li Shimin had guessed. He didn't give Li Shimin any room for negotiation. He said: "It is feasible for me to go to the Turks. However, your Majesty must return my wife and children to me."
Li Shimin's face twitched secretly. "I can't make the decision. About this matter, go to the Manna Palace and ask Concubine Xiao. Ning Xian has always lived in the Manna Palace. You can go and take a look when you have time."
Meng Xinghe wrote down the name of the Manna Hall. Tomorrow Li Shimin will worship his ancestors in the ancestral temple in the imperial city. Then while everyone is worshiping, he will sneak to the Manna Hall to see his wife and children. If the opportunity allows, he can sneak out
OK.
"Okay. I'm going back to the palace. You can follow me out." The conversation was almost over. Li Shimin naturally wanted to return to the palace to welcome the New Year. He would not stay here for long. He stood up.
He still looked so weak. Meng Xinghe had to walk over and help the old emperor.
In the backyard, the emperor and his ministers walked a few steps. Li Shimin suddenly stopped and stopped moving forward. Meng Xinghe's hand lifting his arm was also taken away by the old emperor at this moment.
"Meng Xinghe."
"I'm here."
Li Shimin raised his head and looked at the bustle of Chang'an City in the distance. As a big shot in charge of the world, he shook his head. He was not so satisfied with the prosperity visible in the distance. Instead, he turned his body sideways and said to the courtiers behind him:
"Chang'an City is already lively enough. Don't join in the fun tonight with your Meng Mansion fireworks."
"I accept the decree."
Meng Xinghe wiped his sweat. Who said Li Shimin was old? If you want him to grow old, unless he doesn't speak or kill people, no one dares to rebel against his emperor's orders.