In the 17th year of Zhenguan, all the nations in the royal banquet palace came to pay homage to Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. This unprecedented event was recorded in the writings of historians as a tribute to the majesty of the Tang Dynasty. And on this day, the special people outside the palace The author of the unofficial history, in addition to clearly recording the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, also briefly mentioned a certain person who can be said to be the most shining person since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
This person is, of course, Meng Xinghe.
It is recorded in unofficial history that this man was excellent in literature, martial arts and military skills. He was also more talented than Cao Gong. He was better than Cao Gong in literature and appearance. He was more handsome than Pan An. In addition to being a Jinshi in the 16th year of Zhenguan, he also helped save the brothel girl. I saw him on the road. There are many legendary stories such as Unfair Trial of Ghosts and Gods. At these times when Master Meng's life and deeds were tried to be exaggerated to be extremely magical, his influence is still heavily written in the unofficial history. For example, the recovery of Lingnan forced Yang Xuangan to throw himself into the river and pacified the peace in Jiangnan. He taught to rebel against thieves. He was also rumored to be the richest man in the Tang Dynasty who was extremely wealthy.
The records in unofficial histories are always wild and unconstrained. Moreover, in the 17th year of Zhenguan, when all nations came to pay homage to the Tang Dynasty, the unofficial histories also wrote something about Mr. Meng’s romantic and romantic night. It can be said that countless talented people envy this man.
Turning the topic to the Imperial Banquet Palace. After accepting the worship of the envoys from all nations, Li Shimin allowed the envoys from all nations to have a meal together in the Imperial Banquet Palace. Next, he obviously wanted to take this opportunity. He should sit opposite him under his right hand. The person said something.
"Meng Xinghe." Li Shimin said one word. The Royal Banquet Palace immediately became quieter. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Meng Xinghe who had been sitting under Li Shimin's right hand. They thought that it would be the time for Li Shimin to reward him next. I want to come to the crowd. The ministers were not jealous either. After all, whoever helped Li Shimin solve the enemy troubles since the founding of the Tang Dynasty would be qualified to sit under the emperor and receive rich rewards.
Meng Xinghe immediately stood up from his seat. He was no longer the young boy who had just arrived in Chang'an. He bowed to Li Shimin as a courtier and said, "Long live my greetings."
Li Shimin vaguely remembered how unruly the dashing young man outside Mengjia Village had been. Thinking about how this man had gone through great storms over the past year or so, I am afraid that some people may not have as wonderful a story as his in the past year or two. Li Shimin, who had to admit that he really loved talents, his voice became much softer. He said: "Mr. Meng has been really hard on the southern and northern wars this year. I think of the Jiangnan bandits and Lingnan rebels. They have been a serious problem for the Tang Dynasty for many years. Now they all surrender to me, the Tang Dynasty. Such meritorious service belongs to you. I will accept any reward you want."
The ministers were a little surprised. This was the first time since the founding of the Tang Dynasty that they heard the Holy Emperor promise such a golden reward to his ministers. If Meng Xinghe wanted a Duke or something at this time, it would be an anecdote for the ages.
The twenty titles of Dukes can be described as a beautiful story through the ages.
Listening to the discussion below, Meng Xinghe, who was involved, felt a little want to laugh. If he hadn't met Li Shimin last night, Meng Xinghe really thought that Li Shimin would be so generous. In fact, as early as last night, Meng Xinghe had already said that he The reward was given to him. It’s just that Li Shimin didn’t give it to him.
Do you need money? I don’t know if I am rich enough to chain all the trading houses in the Tang Dynasty with Jiangdu as my foundation.
Do you want rights? I am now the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. I am in charge of all taxation and land in the world. Isn’t this kind of power great? If you still want to climb up the ladder, it is probably the Zhuguo, Guogong, Pushe and other generations of honors. Account banned.
However, for these two things, Meng Xinghe doesn't want anything at all. He is already satisfied with his current life and does not need to hold on to more things. After all, in any dynasty, the monarch who is afraid of his ministers must have the four words "higher achievements than the master". So, Meng Xinghe didn’t want to push himself to the limelight when Li Shimin was about to die.
What Meng Xinghe wanted was actually very simple. On this day of reunion, what he wanted most was to see his infant children and the fairy sister who always dressed in fairy-like clothes.
"What I want is to return my wife." Meng Xinghe struggled and shouted in his heart. If he was communicating with Li Shimin in private, he would say it without any scruples. Just like last night. But now, in front of all the officials. In front of foreign envoys, Meng Xinghe had to step down for Li Shimin. This may be where Li Shimin's methods were clever.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Meng Xinghe said word by word, "The reward your Majesty has given me is already too much. I am in fear all day long. I dare not ask for more rewards. I just want to I want to ask your Majesty for something."
This kid can't be so ignorant of praise. Li Shimin's eyes have been locked with Meng Xinghe's for many times. He thought to himself that now Baiguan is once again. Could this kid be as unruly as ever?
"What do you want to ask for? It doesn't matter. If I can do it, I will promise you immediately." Li Shimin was betting with Meng Xinghe. After this year, he was no longer the untamable young man he was before.
Meng Xinghe really did not dare not to show off his face to Li Shimin. He also knew that every move he made would affect the civil and military officials behind him. If he spoke now, he might appear in some unofficial history. Li Shimin's temperament changed drastically in his later years. There are also things that have been done to the ministers, the flying birds are gone, and the good bows are hidden. Therefore, what Meng Xinghe asked for should be something Li Shimin can come up with now.
He stood there. He never said what he wanted to ask for. All the ministers were guessing. Meng Xinghe was afraid that Meng Xinghe would make a big noise. He was waiting to see this man, who was still a new member of the imperial court, being driven into the ground and never able to get up. However, Those people were not happy for long. Meng Xinghe, who had thought enough, finally said what he wanted, word for word: "I just want to ask your Majesty for a mansion." Mr. Meng said very quietly, with a look on his face. There is some unstoppable feeling of spring.
Li Shimin was obviously taken aback. "Mansion."
He had no idea that Meng Xinghe would make such a request of him.
However, Li Shimin, who is good at observing, soon discovered that the reason why Meng Xinghe asked for a mansion was actually what he needed now. After thinking about it, Li Shimin, who was sitting on the dragon throne, actually no longer cared about the ministers below. He looked at it and actually laughed out loud.
Interesting. Really interesting. Li Shimin laughed twice in succession and said something that only he and Meng Xinghe would understand. He said: "I am as you asked. In this case, I will give you the Prince Qin's Mansion where I lived back then." From now on, you will change its name to the General’s Mansion.”
Li Shimin's words of reward made Meng Xinghe a little confused. He obviously only wanted a mansion as a place for the wives of the family to live. But behind it, there was also a general's mansion. This is what he sang about out.
Meng Xinghe felt something was wrong in his heart. Li Shimin must have a conspiracy.
Sure enough, after Li Shimin announced the reward, he saw that all the ministers below were whispering about the meaning of the sentence "General's Mansion" in the Holy Master's words. After all, there were many generals present. They had all shed their blood for the Tang Dynasty. He did not receive the title of the General's Mansion. And the newcomer Meng Xinghe, although he has military merit, cannot enjoy such an honor. Except for those veteran generals who are already the Duke of the country, if we talk about the hearts of those slightly younger generals, It's definitely not normal to be able to take it calmly.
Li Shimin knew that the ministers below had opinions. But this was exactly what he wanted to see. His purpose of doing this was not very clever. In the final analysis, it was just two words: balance. Therefore, he was not afraid to spend time explaining the general's mansion clearly. He said: "A few days ago, I learned from the Ministry of War that Master Meng captured more than 100,000 surrendered soldiers when he recovered the Jiangnan bandits and wiped out the Lingnan rebels. Yesterday, fortunately, Master Meng suggested it. I went back and thought about it carefully. It was decided to divide the 100,000 surrendered troops into ten armies. After the Lantern Festival, the troops would be divided and sent to the state capital barracks where the Ten Dao subordinates of the Tang Dynasty were located as the reserve army of the state capital. These ten elite troops were mobilized and appointed. The state capital has no authority to manage it. It is directly under the control of the general."
"Wow."
After listening to Li Shimin's words, there was an uproar below.
The army was divided into ten groups to go to the state capital. Even a fool could see that Li Shimin wanted to rectify the army in the state capital. This must be a signal for the Holy Emperor to start eliminating power. And this intention seemed to come from that person Meng Xinghe.
At this time, those generals who had military power and occupied one side were eager to pull out the purple-robed man in front of Li Shimin and cut his body into pieces. Just because of this man's suggestion, now it's better. The armies of all the ten states of the Tang Dynasty have to receive it. The supervision of an army from Chang'an, the imperial capital. It was like a thorn piercing the backs of those generals. And they didn't dare to pull it out. What kind of pain was that.
What a good Meng Xinghe. I didn't fight against you. You dealt with others first. It seems that you underestimated this guy in purple robe.
Teeth-itching curses came from the mouths of some generals who came from other places. They definitely didn't think much better of Meng Xinghe.
It doesn’t matter the performance of the military commanders. Most of the people in the court are civil servants. They are good at political struggles and they can clearly see that the emperor is pushing the upstarts of the court to the forefront. This is good. In the Tang Dynasty army, this leader The general with an army of 100,000 is definitely the person they hate the most. Isn't this kind of check and balance what Li Shimin wants to see the most?
The minister is too smart, so he must find a way to avoid his sharp edges. This is the emperor's way of doing things. When he went back last night, Li Shimin thought about Meng Xinghe's suggestion for a long time. He made this decision just before dawn. Since it was Meng Xinghe, The method proposed by Xinghe would naturally allow him to withstand the storm. As the beneficiary, it was normal for the emperor to show some care when necessary.
The corner of Meng Xinghe's mouth twitched. God can do evil, but you can't live with it. He didn't expect the method he proposed. In the end, he was still the one who was attacked.
What a bullshit general. This is simply a shield. Now I am afraid that if I just go to the state capital, the army there will not look kindly on me. I may even suffer some unknown assassinations.
Meng Xinghe, who secretly suffered the loss of being mute, did not dare to have a trace of resentment. Thinking that the Lantern Festival was approaching, he felt a little comforted. Faced with the endless rumors behind him, Meng Xinghe smiled and actually accepted Li Shimin's reward. He said
: "I accept the decree and express my gratitude. Long live my emperor. Long live my emperor."