Chapter seven hundred and forty-eight difficult peace talks (five)
Update time:2013-06-02
"Mei Niang, do you think there is anything wrong?"
Seeing Empress Wu frowning, Gaozong couldn't help but be stunned, and quickly asked a question.
"Your Majesty clearly knows that I think Xian'er's strategy is feasible, but Tubo is a foreign land. It is easy to suppress and difficult to pacify, and it is even more difficult to educate. If you don't have capable officials, it may be difficult to do it. Now look at the people in Hexi It may not be a problem for generals to pursue thieves, but it may not be possible for them to supervise and educate them, so they must act cautiously."
Empress Wu did not object to Li Xian's proposal, but she raised the detailed issue from another angle. The meaning was by no means as simple as it seemed. In fact, she was reminding Gaozong that there was something wrong with Tibet this time. The chaos may be a good time for the court to intervene in Hexi.
"Well, Mei Niang's words are very true. What does Pei Aiqing think?"
Although Gaozong was not a wise emperor, he had been an emperor for many years, so he still had some ability to hear what was said. Naturally, he understood the hidden meaning in Empress Wu's words, and he couldn't help but feel moved by it. He was thinking about adjusting the officialdom in Hexi, but he was worried about the backlash from Li Xian and did not dare to make a decision immediately. Instead, he left the problem to Pei Xingjian, the first and assistant minister.
"Your Majesty has clearly learned that I think it is best to be more cautious in this matter."
Pei Xingjian, who has been the chief minister for so many years, is naturally not a dull person. He also heard the hidden meaning of Empress Wu's words. Of course, he also understood Gaozong's intention. He couldn't help but feel a little hesitant, but in the end he still He supported Empress Wu's opinion, not for anything else, but because although Pei Xingjian was loyal to Li Xian between Empress Wu and Li Xian, the person he was really loyal to was Gaozong, and he also did not want to see Li Xian holding the power of a place. , after all, it would not be a good thing for the court if the crown prince had too much power, at least in Pei Xingjian's view.
"Well, I also think that Mei Niang's words are the way to build a country. What do you think of Xian'er?"
With the support of Pei Xingjian, Gaozong was obviously more confident and had the courage to face Li Xian directly. He was afraid that he would force Li Xian to express his attitude on the spot regardless of the long nights and dreams.
Damn old thief, she really doesn’t make people worry!
Although when he launched the Tubo plan, Li Xian had already expected that Empress Wu would use it to cause trouble, but when Empress Wu actually launched an attack, Li Xian's anger still surged uncontrollably, but it was not brought to his face. He bowed to Emperor Gaozong in an animated voice and said: "Father, I am a wise man, and I have no objections. It's just that the war is the most important thing now, and the rest will have to be settled before we can make any plans. Otherwise, once, once If the front line is rotten, the consequences will be disastrous."
"Your Majesty, I think I have overstepped my bounds. I am just a little Tubo Kouer. With General Black Teeth here, it is not an exaggeration to sweep the acupoints with thunder. According to me, it will be settled within half a year. Your Majesty, what do you think? ?”
Since Empress Wu was looking for trouble, she naturally wouldn't let it go just because of Li Xian's simple words. Without waiting for others to say anything, she had already set a time limit for the Tubo rebellion without politeness.
"Well, I think it's okay. Tubo is no longer what it used to be. It's just four grass bandits. It shouldn't be difficult to pacify them. Half a year should be enough. According to my decree, no matter what General Black Teeth needs, each department must do its best. Cooperate and make no mistakes!"
Regarding the dismemberment of the forces in Hexi, Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu had the same mind. Regardless of what Li Xian thought, they quickly spoke out and made a final conclusion.
"promise!"
Since Gaozong had already said everything to this extent, even if everyone present felt it was inappropriate, they could no longer raise objections and could only bow to each other and keep their promises.
"Well, Xian'er said earlier that suppression and appeasement should be used together, and I deeply agree. Since suppression is no longer a hindrance, this 'appeasement' is really something that Haosheng should consider carefully. Mei Niang has been in charge of the court for many years, so in government affairs, it should be Those of you who are familiar with it, let’s just take care of this matter together.”
As an emperor, Gaozong was very capable of striking while the iron was hot. When he saw that everyone had agreed to the promise, he immediately handed over the task of dismembering Hexi to Empress Wu, without leaving any chance for Li Xian to express his objection.
"Your Majesty is wise, and I, my concubine, should do my best."
Gaozong's words were obviously what Emperor Wu had been waiting for for a long time, so how could there be any objection? Even though he had made his attitude clear, the couple sang and harmonized, and their cooperation was so tacit that they didn't leave any room for others to interrupt. .
"Well, I am very relieved that Mei Niang is doing something. Xian'er, I have been presiding over the overall peace talks for several days. How is the progress today?"
Emperor Gaozong dug into Li Xian's corner, and he couldn't help but worry about Li Xian's backlash. If Li Xian got impatient and took a desperate risk, the consequences would not be what Emperor Emperor Gaozong wanted to see. He was thinking quickly in his mind. After a moment, I thought about finding some balance for Li Xian regarding the peace negotiation.
"Returning to my father, there are a lot of quarrels, which may not be resolved in a short time. Moreover, there is chaos in Tubo now, and it is difficult for reinforcements to get out of Congling. Lin Chengbin's troops are isolated outside Congling, which is not the way to use troops. I think that the peace talks need to be stepped up. In addition, as far as I know, Ashina Daozhen is lying on the bed. It will not be long. There may be chaos in the Western Regions. I think that the army that left Persia must be brought back as soon as possible. Hexi, I thought I was guarding it, so I asked my father to give me a clear warning."
Gaozong's intention to seek compensation was too obvious. How could Li Xian not see it? In this case, Li Xian would not be polite and immediately proposed to withdraw all Lin Chengbin's troops to Hexi as a contingency. use.
"this……"
Gaozong spent all his efforts to send the main force of the Hexi Army to Persia, far away from the imperial court. He was naturally unwilling to see the main force of the Hexi Army return again. The problem was that what Li Xian said was true, and Gaozong didn't know what to do for a while. When He refused, he couldn't help but feel speechless.
"Your Majesty, this is not appropriate. As soon as our army withdraws, if Dashi invades Persia again, all the previous efforts will be wasted. If we send out troops to conquer Persia again, it will take a lot of effort and little effort. We are afraid that Dashi will be prepared and the effort will be in vain. Isn't this a blessing to the country? Therefore, I think that in order to stabilize Hexi, I can mobilize the army from the pass. Fifty thousand is not enough, and one hundred thousand should be enough. Why bother to go far away instead of the near? "
Gaozong could not think of a reason to refuse, but Empress Wu was very eloquent, and with a few specious words, she blocked Li Xian's request to withdraw his troops.
"My mother's words are wrong. It is said that before the soldiers and horses are moved, food and grass go first. Now that Tubo has changed, the army and supplies in Hexi can only be used to suppress the rebellion. There is no spare power to take care of the Persian army. Where will the missing army and food come from? Come on, if we use grain from the south of the Yangtze River to transport one stone of rice to Persia, and there is only one bucket left, how should we deal with it? Do we really want to sit back and watch the Persian army be exhausted and disappear? I dare not agree with this!"
It was already time for the bayonet to see red. Naturally, Li Xian refused to give in even the slightest bit. Without waiting for Gaozong to speak, he responded with an extremely strong voice.
"Xian'er has said it before. Our Tang Dynasty has always been based on the military system of the government. Reclamation is not an ordinary matter. The court is doing its best. It is not difficult to protect the Persian army for one year. Now that we have excellent seeds from overseas, why not
Is it useful in Persia?”
Li Xian refused to give in, and Empress Wu also refused to give in, because as long as this deployment was successful, Li Xian's biggest support would be in vain. In the next court situation, Empress Wu naturally had many ways to deal with Li Xian,
Naturally, he was unwilling to let Li Xian get his way on this matter.
"Does your mother know the geography of Persia? Thousands of miles of desert, but only one hundred arable lands, and all of them have owners. How will the tens of thousands of soldiers of the Tang Dynasty cultivate the land? Could it be that they hope to grow grain in the vast desert? Really?
What a big joke!”
Li Xian unceremoniously pointed out the biggest problem in what Empress Wu said. His harsh words did not spare Empress Wu any face, and he was clearly about to completely tear her face apart.
"That's enough, let's make a big noise, I'm not dead yet!"
When he saw the mother and son arguing in public, Gaozong couldn't stand it. At the same time, he was also worried that if he pushed Li Xian too far, it would be detrimental to the balance of the court, so he shouted angrily and interrupted the mother and son.
The two had a vicious verbal battle.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I am being rude."
"Father, please calm down, and your sons and ministers will know their sins."
…
After Gaozong's outburst, mother and son did not dare to argue any more, and each bowed to apologize.
"That's it, this matter is settled. The peace talks will be carried out step by step. The peace talks are certain. All the Persian armies should withdraw when they should. All of them should withdraw."
After Gaozong got angry, he really didn't want to see Empress Wu arguing with Li Xian again, so he couldn't help but settle the matter with one word.
"I obey the order, I will retire."
Since Emperor Gaozong had issued an order to expel guests, all the people did not dare to stay any longer. They could only bow and leave each other, but their destinations were different - Li Xian left the palace without stopping.
He returned to the Taiji Palace on his own, while Pei and Liu returned to the duty station of the Zhengshi Hall to draft edicts for the various decisions made today. As for Empress Wu, she returned to the imperial study room of the Xuanzheng Hall with a gloomy face.
He didn't go to criticize the book anymore, but paced back and forth in the study with a serious face. The chills on his body burst out one after another, which frightened all the eunuchs who were waiting in the room into silence.
I didn't even dare to take a breath casually.
"Cheng Denggao!"
After Empress Wu paced back and forth in the study for a long time, she suddenly paused, raised her head and shouted loudly.
"Ah, the old slave is here, the old slave is here."
Although Cheng Denggao was the most obedient person around Empress Wu, he didn't have the guts to bear Empress Wu's anger. At this moment, he was on the sidelines in fear. He suddenly heard Empress Wu's summons, so he didn't dare to neglect it. He rushed out in a hurry and bowed.
body, quickly responded.
"Go, Xuanyuan Wanqing will come to see you immediately!"
Empress Wu glanced at Cheng Denggao sternly and spoke in a tone that allowed no explanation.
"Ah, yes, slave, I'll go right now."
As Empress Wu's confidant, Cheng Denggao knew that Yuan Wanqing was still busy with peace negotiations in the East Palace. He wanted to remind Empress Wu, but when the words came to his lips, he did not have the courage to say it out loud, so he could only respond hurriedly.
After accepting the promise, he ran out of the study as if he was running away, and went to the East Palace to announce the decree...