Chapter 112 Appointed as General, General of the Left Dragon Guard
"From now on, the Left Prime Minister and I can get acquainted at the banquet hosted by the Saint."

Li Shizhi didn't care whether Wei Jian appreciated it or not.

If Wei Jian is willing, some things can only be understood, not expressed in words.

The saint should propose to appoint Li Xuan as general soon.

It depends on how Wei Jian does it.

With Li Shizhi's reminder, Wei Jian respectfully took his leave.

He is now the prime minister and has more concerns than before.

At the court in early July, Li Longji finally discussed the promotion of Li Xuan to the position of Jiedushi.

After the court meeting, Li Longji took the initiative to mention: "After the Duke of Song retired, the position of Minister of War was vacant. I plan to recall the governor of Longyou to Chang'an and appoint him to the position. What do you think?"

When this was said, some of the ministers were surprised. If Huangfu Weiming was transferred back to serve as the Minister of War, who would take over the position of the Jiedushi of Longyou? If he didn't return, would Li Xuan, who was only 17 years old, take over?
There were also some officials close to Li Longji who knew clearly that Li Longji had always wanted Li Xuan to take the throne and help him expand his territory.

The intention of this move is self-evident.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

No one objected to the fact that Huangfu Weiming was the Minister of War.

Wei Jian took the lead in paying homage to Li Longji.

"After General Huangfu left, the post of Jiedushi of Longyou was vacant. I favored Deputy Envoy General Li to succeed him as Ambassador, Zhidu Ambassador, and Yingtian Ambassador. He will coordinate the Longyou army and face the increasingly powerful Tubo."

This time, Li Longji spoke more forcefully, as if he was sure that Li Xuan should succeed him as Jiedushi Ambassador.

"Your Majesty, although General Li has made remarkable military achievements, he is still young and should not be in direct command of the army, otherwise there may be trouble."

A censor stood up and advised Li Longji.

"Your Majesty, since Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong established the country, there has never been an example of a 17-year-old becoming a general. This is not in accordance with the system."

The Minister of Rites also stepped out to pay his respects.

"Your Majesty, although General Li is a man of great courage, his ability to command a large army is unproven. If he leads a large army so easily, he may make mistakes."

"Your Majesty, General Li should be familiar with the various armies and gain experience. After winning the battle together, he can lead the army."

"Your Majesty, General Li is not qualified to command a large army. We should select someone with rich experience to serve as ambassador."

"Your Majesty, giving General Li the power now is tantamount to forcing things to grow faster..."

……

Within a short while, dozens of civil and military officials came out to persuade Li Longji to revoke his order.

As if it was discussed beforehand!
Although there were examples of the Tang emperors going against the majority opinion, most of the time they would listen to the advice of their ministers, especially as it was now, when so many people came out to oppose and it seemed that the trend was unstoppable.

When Li Longji's face changed, Wei Jian stood up and bowed to the desk, saying, "Your Majesty, I think General Li has made enough military achievements, and he is both strategic and brave, and has literary talent. He is capable of leading an army. General Li's achievements are known throughout the world, and everyone is convinced. Smart people should recognize General Li like Your Majesty. Those who obstruct General Li from becoming a general are like obstructing his military achievements."

Wei Jian's words were heartbreaking, and he rebuked those ministers for obstructing military plans.

These people are not on good terms with him, most likely because of Li Linfu's instructions.

Wei Jian really hoped that Huangfu Weiming could be transferred to the position of Minister of War to help him relieve the pressure from Li Linfu in the court.

As soon as Wei Jian finished speaking, several more ministers stood up to support Li Longji's wise decision.

"Right Prime Minister, do you approve of General Li's military power?"

Li Longji, whose complexion looked much better, asked Li Linfu.

As long as the right prime minister and the left prime minister agree, this decree can be implemented.

"Your Majesty, I also think that General Li's talent is comparable to Wei Huo's, and he is qualified for the post of Jiedushi of Longyou. Your Majesty has a keen eye and it is only natural that he should be given power. But I am worried that Li Xuan will be promoted so quickly that by the time he is twenty years old, he will have no official title to be granted or no rank to be bestowed. This is my only concern."

Li Linfu came to the case and ostensibly supported Li Xuan's appointment as the governor of Longyou, but in fact he had evil intentions.

When a person has no official title to be granted or no title to be bestowed, can gold, silver, and jewelry satisfy his needs?

Isn’t this an allusion to Xuanwu Gate?

Li Longji frowned. What the right prime minister said made sense. If Li Xuan defeated Tubo repeatedly, he should be rewarded.

What's more, he also wanted to use Li Xuan to go to the Western Regions to teach a lesson to the Arabs who were expanding eastwards.

"Retreat!"

When Wei Jian was about to retort, Li Longji ordered the court to adjourn.

Li Linfu's words successfully aroused Li Longji's suspicious character.

Li Longji, who was caught in a dilemma, needed to think again.

At the same time, Huangfu Weiming's transfer was also put on hold.

"Qi Lang is as good as a god!"

At the Mansion of Duke Song, after Li Shizhi learned about this matter, he immediately went to pay a visit to Gao Lishi.

Gao Lishi was now obsessed with promoting movable type printing and woodblock printing, and often returned to his mansion.

He invited Li Shizhi in, and after some discussion, decided to agree to Li Shizhi's request.

In the afternoon, Gao Lishi returned to Xingqing Palace.

"Li Shi, it's not your turn to be on duty today, why are you back in the palace?"

Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan were fishing by the Dragon Pond, with sugar-coated iced watermelon next to them.

In the hot summer, the fragrance of watermelon makes Li Longji more comfortable.

"I will take care of the printing matters and then come back to serve the Saint. I am over 60 years old and I don't know how many more years I can serve the Saint."

Gao Lishi said with deep emotion.

"The wrestler and I are the ones who have truly grown old together! I am not as young as I was, but I don't know how future generations will judge me."

Li Longji recalled that he had met Gao Lishi when he was a child, and decades had passed in the blink of an eye.

Although he pursued immortality, he knew in his heart that it was illusory, so he wanted to enjoy his old age. Sooner or later, he would return to dust.

"You are a saint who created the world. Your martial arts are comparable to Emperor Taizong. Thousands of years from now, future generations will surely admire your achievements."

Gao Lishi said to Li Longji. It was obviously a compliment, but it sounded like a sincere compliment.

"It's not clear yet! Li Shi, I want to appoint Li Qilang as the general, but many ministers are against it. After listening to the right prime minister, I think it's not easy to reward Li Xuan after his continuous meritorious service. I plan to promote him in a few years."

As usual, Li Longji would discuss political affairs that were not going well with Gao Lishi.

"Well... please forgive me for speaking frankly..."

Gao Lishi hesitated to speak and asked Li Longji for help.

"You can speak to me, Li Shi!"

Li Longji waved his hand and told Gao Lishi to just speak.

"Although Qilang is young, the sage is old. Although the sage can live to be a hundred years old, you still have to hurry up to make achievements! Qilang's current title is no more than a county baron, and his merit is no more than a light chariot captain. For each military achievement, you can gradually be promoted to a higher title. What's more, Qilang is very talented in writing. From his trip to the south of the Yangtze River, we can see that Qilang has the ability to govern the country. When he has made greater contributions, he can be summoned to the court to assist the sage. It is not necessary for the Jiedushi to be in power. We can first transfer General Huangfu back and let Qilang know about the Jiedushi affairs. After he has made great contributions, we can transfer him back and personally confer the double banners and double festivals on him."

Gao Lishi came forward and spoke slowly to Li Longji.

It implies that the saints should hurry up to make achievements. He is already sixty years old. If he waits a few more years, how long will he have to wait before he can surpass Emperor Taizong?
Li Xuan’s honors and titles are still far from the highest level!
And if Tubo is really pacified, he can be transferred to the imperial court.

The imperial court is a tough place to be in, so what's there to worry about?

Gao Lishi's words were told to him by Li Shizhi, and they were also in line with Li Longji's thoughts.

"Sanlang, look at how good the fruits and vegetables Qilang brought back from the border are. I will definitely ask Qilang to bring back more things that I have never seen before."

At the same time, Yang Yuhuan picked up a piece of cold watermelon and put it next to Li Longji's mouth.

"Inside, the only one who can share my worries is a strong man!"

Li Longji took a bite of the watermelon handed to him by the beauty, and all his depression disappeared.

He was nearly misled!

"Sanlang, the fish is hooked..."

Yang Yuhuan gently pulled Li Longji's collar.

"call out!"

Li Longji picked up the fishing rod, and a beautiful koi was hanging on the hook.

Yang Yuhuan was as excited as a little girl.

Li Longji couldn't stop smiling.

Gao Lishi also smiled.

……

The next day, in the court hall.

After Li Longji took his seat, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat wanted to report daily affairs, but Li Longji waved his hand to stop him.

"Right Prime Minister, Left Prime Minister! You draft an imperial edict to transfer General Huangfu back to Chang'an, dismiss him from his post as Jiedushi Yingtianzhidu, and appoint him as the Minister of War, and confer him the title of Marquis of Linjing County. Dismiss General Li from his post as General of the Left Thousand Cattle Guard, Chief of the Army, and Lintao Army. Appoint him as the Governor of Xiping County, promote him to General of the Left Dragon Guard, and make him the Deputy Ambassador of Longyou Jiedushi, the Minister of Jiedushi, and concurrently the Ambassador of Longyouzhidu and the Ambassador of Longyou Yingtian. The rest of his official titles and honors remain unchanged."

Li Longji went straight to the point and issued the appointment.

This is an order, there is no room for negotiation. This is the power of Li Longji.

The deputy ambassador is the governor of a military governorate. He exercises the power of the ambassador and handles all military affairs, rewards and punishments, transfers, and appointments. He is actually a "general"!
"Your Majesty, I think General Li is not old enough and has insufficient experience, so he needs to..."

A censor stepped out of the line. He thought it would be the same as yesterday, but before he could finish his words, Li Longji stood up from his seat, interrupted him and scolded him: "The Tubo people are bullying our Tang Dynasty so much. Do you want to obstruct our military achievements? Come on, kick them out of the hall!" The Yulin Guards received the order and immediately stepped out of the line and took the censor out of the hall.

"I am rude, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

The Censor was panicked. He shouted and looked at Li Linfu.

But Li Linfu was able to read people's expressions, so how could he possibly pay any attention to him?

It was not until the Censor was dragged out of the palace that the ministers felt a chill in their hearts.

Li Longji was now determined to do what he wanted. Anyone who tried to stop him would be kicked out of Xingqing Palace and become a laughing stock in Chang'an.

Li Linfu was extremely depressed. How could the saint change so much in just one day?
It’s not what he expected!

The matter was done, what else could he say? He could only join Wei Jian in praising the saint's wisdom.

After the two prime ministers spoke and the censor was coaxed out, no one dared to interfere.

When Li Linfu saw Wei Jian's smug look, he almost couldn't help but beat him up.

What was even more worrying was that Huangfu Weiming was appointed Minister of War, which gave him another political enemy.

While the streets of Chang'an were filled with regret over the dismissal of the Left Prime Minister, another wave of troubles arose. The news that Li Xuan was appointed as the general caused a sensation in Chang'an.

A seventeen-year-old general ensured that the Duke of Song's Mansion did not lose its glory after losing its position as prime minister.

The young men shouted in their hearts, "A man should be like General Li."

After learning that Li Xuan was still unmarried, matchmakers almost broke down the threshold of Duke Song's mansion, and even the princesses wanted to marry their daughters to Li Xuan.

Many literati were ready to present poems to Li Xuan, eager to join his court and fulfill their wish of "offering advice and making achievements."

The real knights-errant from the two capitals went to Longyou one after another, hoping to make achievements under Li Xuan's command.

……

Anxiang County, at the foot of Jinjian Mountain.

Li Xuan was inspecting a senior pastor at the foot of Jinjian Mountain with his personal guards.

Li Xuan was accompanied by Zhang Wenyan, deputy envoy of the Longyou herdsmen, Cui Heng, the judge, Jin Jian, the herdsman, Liu Xi and others.

There are more than 7,000 horses in the Golden Sword Prison, including 800 high-quality adult horses that can be used as war horses. They can leave the prison at any time and join the war horse sequence.

"In the past month, I have inspected more than a dozen herdsmen and am happy that the country's war horses are strong. But I think there is room for better and more war horses to be bred. I am preparing to trade with the Kut people, hoping to introduce more high-quality Western Region stallions to the horse herdsmen to improve the offspring of Hequ horses."

Li Xuan said to Zhang Wenyan on the grassland of Jinjian Prison.

Although the herdsmen in Longyou have been introducing horses from the Western Regions, the efforts are not enough.

Horse policy is an important national policy, and exchanges with the Sogdians must be close.

Although the Hequ horse has good endurance and strong pulling power, its limbs are only of average size.

Excellent war horse genes need to be cultivated from generation to generation, as they are the factor for victory on the battlefield.

"The Kushi people living in Han areas no longer go to the Western Regions. And the Kushi people from the Western Regions are not easy to deal with."

Zhang Wenyan replied to Li Xuan.

"I will apply to the imperial court for gold, silver, silk and brocade, and buy good horses from the Kut people. They are after profit, and as long as there is enough gold, they will find ways to transport their country's horses to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Xuan knew the character of the Lithuanian merchants very well. They would take risks and disregard their lives for gold and silver.

He planned to let Liu Xi discuss with the Kudet people about transporting fine-bred horses to Longyou.

From the appearance of the horse, you can intuitively identify the quality of the horse.

Just like Li Xuan’s Huoyun Horse, you can tell at first glance that it is a BMW.

"General, General Huangfu wants you to return to Huangshui. The court has a new appointment for you."

At this moment, a rider rushed into the Golden Sword Prison to report to Li Xuan.

"What specific appointment is there?"

After seeing the messenger, Li Xuan asked him.

The messenger came to Li Xuan and whispered, "Huangfu will return to Chang'an to serve as the Minister of War. The Saint has ordered you to be in charge of military affairs and promoted you to the governor of Xiping County, the general of the Left Dragon Guard, and the ambassador of Zhidu and Yingtian."

"Okay, I'll ride back immediately."

Li Xuan was delighted.

Although he is not the main envoy, he has complete control over the Longyou Army and can perform his duties with ease.

He was able to achieve the goal of expanding territory and please Li Longji.

The governor was in charge of the military and political affairs of Xiping County, and was actually dispensable to Li Xuan. His main purpose was to highlight Li Xuan's status as a frontier official.

The Zhidushi was an official in charge of military supplies, and usually a Jiedushi would also hold the position.

The General of the Left Dragon Guard was a third-rank official, highlighting Li Xuan's military position.

This is a post in the Northern Yamen Imperial Guard, more prestigious than that in the Southern Yamen.

"I am going back to Huangshui City. The various herdsmen will gather 10,000 high-quality war horses and send them to the Longyou Army within two months. Governor Zhang will draft a memorial to the court on this matter."

The matter was critical, and Li Xuan stopped inspecting the pastoral supervisor.

Since a large part of the pastoral supervision was in Jincheng County, Zhang Wenyan also served as the prefect of Jincheng.

Li Xuan did not go too far. He first asked for 10,000 horses for emergency use to ensure the training of the soldiers.

Ask for the war horse after a while.

Now the Tang Dynasty's Pastoral Bureau has 800,000 horses of all sizes. Li Xuan knows that there will be frequent wars in the world in the future. During his tenure, even if the number of horses in the Pastoral Bureau does not increase, it cannot be reduced.

"As ordered!"

Zhang Wenyan didn't know what to say. Li Xuan was the ambassador and he was only the deputy envoy. Moreover, as long as the court agreed, it would be fine.

Originally, Li Xuan was supposed to stay for another month, and he also heard that Li Xuan was appointed as general.

Through the contact during this period, Zhang Wenyan knew that Li Xuan was a meticulous person, and he would not find it strange even if he became prime minister in the future.

I just lament that Li Xuan could lead thousands of troops before he was even twenty.

"From now on, the use of horses by the officials, the court, and the post stations can be approved by Governor Zhang, but border towns must report to me if they apply for war horses."

Li Xuan gave Zhang Wenyan some power. He only needed to keep an eye on the other governors.

Every few months, the Jiedushi would ask the herdsman for horses on the grounds that the war horses were damaged.

"General, if we mislead them, will they impeach us for delaying military operations?" Zhang Wenyan was worried about this.

"I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

Li Xuan served in Shuofang and Longyou, and he certainly knew that the number of war horses in the army was often much larger than the number stipulated in the regulations, even if private horses were excluded.

Although the captured horses did not have to be handed over to the pastoral supervisor, even Li Xuan would shamelessly ask for the lost horses.

So missing the opportunity to fight was an excuse. We sent an envoy to make a census and found that no military prefecture or even military city had many war horses.

After everything was arranged, Li Xuan prepared to return to Huangshui.

Before leaving, Anxiang County Prefect Gao Xiuyan asked to see Li Xuan.

The position of prefect was not what he wanted, let alone the prefect of a border county like Anxiang County, so he was depressed during this period.

Li Xuan made him lose face when they were wrestling, which was because he was overestimating his own abilities when challenging Li Xuan.

If the opponent had made a mistake by just one move, he would definitely not accept the defeat, but the gap in strength was so huge that he didn't even have the courage to feel resentment.

"What advice do you have for me, Governor Gao?"

Li Xuan asked Gao Xiuyan with a smile.

After the banquet that day, Li Xuan went back and reflected on himself, thinking that he should have given Gao Xiuyan some face.

He speculated that in history Gao Xiuyan surrendered to An Lushan after the defeat at Tongguan.

That defeat was largely caused by human factors, and it was normal for the soldiers to feel discouraged.

Because of the great defeat at Tongguan, An Lushan entered Chang'an. Everyone thought that An Lushan was about to take off, and many generals defected to him.

Although he might be a rebel general in the future, Gao Xiuyan was extremely brave before the Anshi Rebellion, otherwise he would not have been granted the title of Minister of Revenue.

"I am ashamed to challenge the general in public, and I regret it afterwards. General, your unparalleled power is beyond the reach of ten Gao Xiuyans. A few days after you took office, you defeated the Tibetan cavalry in the Jishi Army. Ten Gao Xiuyans cannot catch up with such talent. I sincerely apologize to you, and hope you can let bygones be bygones!"

Gao Xiuyan, the prefect of Anxiang, bowed to Li Xuan.

Although the Jiedushi of Longyou was in charge of the troops of Anxiang County, Li Xuan did not concurrently serve as the Jiedushi of Anxiang County, so the prefect of Anxiang was not Li Xuan's subordinate.

"General Gao, you don't have to do this. I really don't deserve it!"

Li Xuan quickly helped Gao Xiuyan up.

"Please write to the Saint and let me join the border army again. There are two vacancies for the deputy envoy of the Lintao Army. I am willing to serve as the deputy envoy of the Lintao Army!"

Gao Xiuyan asked Li Xuan again.

Li Xuan calmed down for a moment and decided that it was not impossible to recommend Gao Xiuyan as the Lintao Army ambassador again.

But Li Xuan suddenly thought of a plan that could be used.

(End of this chapter)