"King Tianshui, the Saint ordered you to rest at the Xianyang Post Station. Tomorrow, the Right and Left Prime Ministers will take you to Chang'an. The Saint is in the Hua'e Xianghui Tower. Please prepare the banquet and clean up the place so as not to spoil the Saint's fun."

After Li Xuan arrived at the Xianyang post station, the eunuch Yuan Siyi read the imperial edict to Li Xuan and others.

Unlike the previous eunuch who announced the decree, Yuan Siyi had a fair face and no beard, and a feminine appearance. When he spoke, his eyebrows were raised and he was arrogant, as if he did not take Li Xuan seriously.

Even Bian Lingcheng before didn't dare to speak to Li Xuan with such an expression.

The former eunuchs Lin Zhaoyin, Li Jingren and others had always been respectful to Li Xuan.

"How dare you speak to King Tianshui in this tone?"

Seeing that Yuan Siyi was arrogant, Che Shensai suddenly became furious.

Bian Lingcheng had already made them very dissatisfied, and now there was another person like this.

"Who are you and why do you dare to be rude to the Saint's messenger?"

Yuan Siyi glared at Che Shen Sai and was about to get furious.

He can now compete with Gao Lishi.

Having seen Li Xuan being respectful to Gao Lishi in the past, he also wanted to experience it.

It was because of witnessing Li Xuan's respectful treatment of Gao Lishi that Yuan Siyi had the illusion that "if he can do it, so can I."

"My name..."

"Please ask the eunuch to report to the Saint. We have already known it!"

Just as Che Shen Sai was about to introduce himself, he was interrupted by Li Xuan. Li Xuan guessed who Yuan Siyi was. There was no need to bother with such a person, so as to avoid being bitten at the critical moment.

Historically, at the end of the Tianbao period, changes occurred among the eunuchs, and an eunuch born in Huayin County gradually came into Li Longji's sight.

This person is Yuan Siyi.

Because of her youthful beauty and her deep knowledge of flattery, she was very favored by Li Longji. In the 14th year of Tianbao, Li Longji re-divided the Ministry of Internal Affairs and appointed two Internal Affairs Supervisors, who were of the third rank.

Before this, Gao Lishi had always been the "Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs" and was in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

From then on, Gao Lishi was just one of the two eunuchs, the other one was naturally Yuan Siyi.

When Li Longji favors someone, there is no reason at all. This suspicious emperor always does some foolish things.

Eunuchs become rampant when they are in power. This is the case with Yuan Siyi now, and even more so with Yu Chaoen and Li Fuguo in history.

Although Yuan Siyi became a high-ranking eunuch and had the same status as Gao Lishi, Gao Lishi was well-behaved and cautious, and everyone liked him; Yuan Siyi was arrogant and everyone kept their distance and feared him.

History has proven that Yuan Siyi was a complete villain. When Tongguan was breached, Gao Lishi followed Li Longji to Chengdu to serve him and never left him.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Yuan Siyi thought that An Lushan could become the founding emperor, so he immediately ran to An Lushan for surrender.

"I will report this to the Saint."

Seeing that Li Xuan treated him differently from Gao Lishi, Yuan Siyi was very dissatisfied. He would definitely exaggerate and tell the saint that Li Xuan was rude.

After saying that, Yuan Siyi shook off the dust and turned away.

"Mr. Yuan, wait a minute..."

At this moment, Bian Lingcheng immediately chased after him. Although he was much older than him, he called Yuan Siyi "Mr. Yuan".

Because he knew that Yuan Siyi was now a popular figure in front of the saint.

When the two of them got together, Bian Lingcheng turned around and carefully glanced at Li Xuan.

At the same time, Bian Lingcheng took out a jade turtle of excellent quality from his sleeve and handed it to Yuan Siyi.

Yuan Siyi accepted the turtle calmly and was very satisfied with Bian Lingcheng's approach.

"King Tianshui has always looked down on people like us, but you are a magnanimous person, so don't bother with him."

Bian Lingcheng fanned the flames in Yuan Siyi's ear.

He hated Li Xuan in his heart because Li Xuan restricted him everywhere in Anxi.

He was even not notified to attend many military parades and banquets. As a military supervisor, he no longer had any authority.

But Li Xuan had the leverage over him.

"If he doesn't respect the saints, feel free to write and tell me."

Yuan Siyi said lightly.

He was very unhappy that the great hero did not yield to him.

"My subordinate understands."

Bian Lingcheng smiled and nodded, then continued to compliment Yuan Siyi and sent him to the horse.

"Li Shuai, you are a meritorious official, how can you tolerate the eunuch's attitude?"

On the other side, Che Shen Sai said angrily.

"They are the emperor's close ministers. I am far away in the frontier and cannot disobey them. Otherwise, Wang Zhongsi's fate will be my fate."

Li Xuan shook his head and sighed.

"How could it be so!"

Li Siye, Che Shensai, Zhang Xing and other generals felt even more depressed.

I felt extremely sad when I came back to receive the hero medal this time.

They always felt that Li Shuai was treated unfairly. Even a young eunuch they had never heard of could look down on Li Shuai. Was there still any need for law?
Li Xuan just stood on the Xianyang Plain, staring closely in the direction of Chang'an City in the east.

Wild fire, in spring.

Sooner or later, he will sweep Chang'an in a manner that the world can't imagine.

Even Gao Lishi's power could be divided away by Yuan Siyi, an unknown eunuch. Li Longji was very scary in his later years.

Li Xuan's official titles and noble ranks were all the highest. Titles such as Grand Marshal, Grand Tutor and Grand Guardian would only be conferred posthumously on the dead during Li Longji's reign.

This time, Li Longji did not personally welcome Li Xuan as he did before. In addition to the political crisis, he was also upset about the failure of Li Xuan's previous reform.

If this continues, sooner or later, Li Xuan's power and influence will be weakened.

After Yuan Siyi returned to Xingqing Palace, she went to Nanxun Palace to serve Li Longji.

At this time, Gao Lishi had already gone off work and was resting.

Li Longji once declared, "I can sleep peacefully only when Li Shi is in power." That was when Li Longji was diligent in his government affairs.

Now no matter who is on duty, Li Longji can sleep well.

At this time, Li Longji was drinking and Yang Yuhuan was playing the pipa.

When touched by jade fingers, it is as gentle and melodious as a mountain stream, as if it can soothe the troubles in people's hearts.

Li Longji was living a life of drunkenness and dreaming, completely infatuated.

"Greetings to the Saint, my lady. I have summoned the King of Tianshui and am waiting for the Right Prime Minister to greet him tomorrow."

When Yuan Siyi saw Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan in Nanxun Palace, her expression immediately changed.

"Good! Tomorrow I will hold a grand banquet for King Tianshui to celebrate his achievements in expanding the territory."

Li Longji showed a look of satisfaction on his face.

As long as King Tianshui doesn't change his ways to bother him, he will be a good Qilang.

"It's just that King Tianshui seems quite unhappy. I guess it's because you, the Saint, didn't go to greet him in person."

Yuan Siyi suddenly changed the subject and spoke to Li Longji.

"Dang..."

Yang Yuhuan, who was playing the pipa, also suddenly loosened her fingers.

The hall was silent for a moment.

"King Tianshui's achievements are great, but is it reasonable for a king to welcome his subjects since ancient times?"

Sure enough, Li Longji's face froze.

The last time he welcomed Li Xuan was because he defeated his arch-enemy Tubo, recovered Jiuqu, and avenged the previous humiliation, which was an unprecedented achievement.

How could he go to meet her again and again now?

"Qi Lang is a modest gentleman, loyal to his emperor and patriotic, and has never been rude in front of others. When San Lang came to meet Qi Lang before, Qi Lang, for the sake of his saintly prestige, refused to ride in the dragon chariot with San Lang, and rode along on horseback. Why would he suddenly behave so rudely?"

"Yuan Siyi, is this your conjecture?"

Seeing that Li Longji was about to get angry, Yang Guifei put down her pipa, came to Li Longji and spoke softly. Then she questioned Yuan Siyi.

After being reminded by Yang Yuhuan, Li Longji's anger gradually subsided.

indeed!

Li Qillang only argues for his reasons when it comes to some national affairs. He is usually humble and polite, and doesn't seem like that kind of person.

Some generals were very arrogant. But Li Qilang was a great poet and lyricist, and he had served as prime minister, so he was definitely broad-minded and shrewd.

The first time Yuan Siyi saw Yang Yuhuan scolding him angrily, he was a little confused.

Although he was arrogant and confronted Gao Lishi, he knew that Yang Guifei was the person he should not offend the most.

No matter how favored he is, he can never be as favored as Yang Guifei!
Just when Yuan Siyi was at a loss, Li Longji asked Yuan Siyi again: "Did the Prince of Tianshui say that?"

"No... I saw that King Tianshui was unhappy, so I just guessed."

Faced with Li Longji's power, Yuan Siyi stammered.

"Sanlang, Yuan Siyi is arrogant. He must have been rude to Qilang, which made Qilang unhappy and sowed discord!"

Yang Yuhuan took the opportunity to speak to Li Longji.

Normally she seldom cared about the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but now she disliked Yuan Siyi very much.

"Yuan Siyi, I trust you so much that I even gave you some of the important matters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Is this how you repay me?"

Li Longji slammed the jade table and became furious.

He believed what Yang Yuhuan said without thinking and thought that Yuan Siyi was wrong.

"Saint, spare my life, am I just talking nonsense?"

Yuan Siyi’s face turned pale, and he quickly knelt down with a plop, trembling.

How did that happen?

The saint was very happy just now, but suddenly he wanted to blame him.

"Why is that so?"

Li Longji glared at Yuan Siyi, as if he would beat her to death if she didn't give him an explanation.

"It was Bian Lingcheng who gave me a jade turtle and asked me to speak ill of King Tianshui. I was blinded by greed and deserve to die!"

Yuan Siyi felt that he would rather die than have a friend die, so he quickly took out a jade turtle from his sleeve.

He couldn't say that he was the one who provoked Li Xuan first!
Just then, Bian Lingcheng bribed him with a jade tortoise, which drove Bian Lingcheng out.

"Bian Lingcheng is the military supervisor of the Tianshui King. Why is he like this?"

Li Longji frowned.

"I don't know either!"

Yuan Siyi fell to the ground.

"Capture Bian Lingcheng and hand him over to Li Shi for strict interrogation."

Li Longji ordered his attendants.

"As ordered!"

After receiving the order, the attendant ran out of Nanxun Palace.

"Since this is your first offense, I will forgive you today, but you will no longer be in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. From now on, you will be the military supervisor of Anxi and Beiting, and your merits will atone for your crime."

Li Longji was very optimistic about Yuan Siyi, but he thought he was too impetuous.

In fact, corruption was not a big deal for Li Longji. He knew it very well that the Five Yangs were more corrupt.

He just hated Yuan Siyi for deceiving him and sowing discord between the monarch and his subjects.

Even if it was Gao Lishi who did this, Li Longji could not tolerate it.

Fortunately, Yuan Siyi was favored, otherwise Li Longji would definitely have killed him.

"Thank you, Saint! Thank you, Saint!"

Yuan Siyi kowtowed repeatedly, wanting to cry but without tears.

The power he had obtained was gone, and he had to go to the desolate Western Regions. He really wanted to slap himself.

Everything was his own fault, but Yuan Siyi suddenly blamed Li Xuan for the mistake and vowed to make things difficult for Li Xuan.

As far as he knew, the military inspector had enormous power, even more than the Jiedushi.

"Get out!"

Li Longji scolded Yuan Siyi and sent him away.

Seeing this, Yang Yuhuan didn't know what to say.

Yuan Siyi is obviously not as good as Gao Lishi, and she doesn't know what the saint sees in Yuan Siyi.

Thinking of this, Yang Yuhuan sighed deeply in her heart. Her brothers and sisters were even more outrageous than Yuan Siyi.

She could ask the saint to punish Yuan Siyi, but she couldn't bear to punish Wu Yang.

The tyranny of a few people should not harm the foundation of the country.

After all, Yang Yuhuan is just a little woman.

Not long after, the sound of the pipa was heard again in Nanxun Hall.

The melody is desolate and floats away like clouds.

...At dusk, a team of Yulin troops broke into the Xianyang post station.

Bian Lingcheng, who was resting on the couch, was pulled down.

Bian Lingcheng's loud shouting startled Li Xuan.

"Why did the general arrest me, the military supervisor?"

After Li Xuan got dressed and went out, he asked General Yulin.

"Replying to Lord Tianshui, we were ordered to arrest him and were not aware of the situation."

General Yulin did not dare to be negligent and bowed to Li Xuan in reply.

They really don't know anything.

"Unfair! I want to see the saint."

Bian Lingcheng shouted loudly. He was not convinced and did not realize that after he bribed Yuan Siyi, he was betrayed by Yuan Siyi.

I have been in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for decades, but I have never seen anyone with such a lack of martial ethics.

Li Xuan was silent.

He was also unhappy with Bian Lingcheng, but this disrupted his plans.

The main purpose of bringing Bian Lingcheng back to Chang'an was to prevent Bian Lingcheng from causing trouble after he left.

After Li Xuan left, if Bian Lingcheng checked the warehouse of Anxi Protectorate, Yan Zhenqing would not be able to stop him.

In this way, the amount of gold, silver, treasures and silk money inside would be revealed.

Moreover, after Li Xuan chose to leave Anxi, he transferred the gold, silver and jewelry presented to Li Longji, which was also intended to avoid Bian Lingcheng.

In addition, let Li Longji see Bian Lingcheng for the last time to put his mind at ease.

After Li Xuan returned to Anxi, he would control Bian Lingcheng and ask Bian Lingcheng to write a secret letter to Li Longji from time to time to report Li Xuan's loyalty.

At this time, all the post stations from Anxi to Yumen Pass and Yangguan were replaced by Li Xuan's people, and he would gradually control the roads.

To prevent information leakage.

"No matter who is the military supervisor of Anxi Beiting in the future, I will control him once he enters Qiuci."

Li Xuan thought silently as he watched Bian Lingcheng being taken away.

He didn't think he would be in danger if Bian Lingcheng was captured.

Even if Li Longji suspected him, it was impossible for him to capture Bian Lingcheng and alert the enemy.

Li Xuan suspected that someone had reported Bian Lingcheng for corruption and bribery.

It was dawn the next day.

Right Prime Minister Yang Guozhong and Left Prime Minister Chen Xilie, along with civil and military officials and the Imperial Guards, came to welcome Li Xuan.

As the chief prime minister, Yang Guozhong felt very embarrassed.

After all, Li Xuan was once the prime minister, and he is now at the peak of his career.

It seemed that Li Xuan was suppressing him.

But the sage had given an order, and Yang Guozhong had to obey.

Before Yang Guozhong arrived at the Xianyang post station, Gao Lishi sent a letter to Li Xuan, informing him of the arrest of Bian Lingcheng.

It turned out that this damn eunuch was asking for trouble. Yuan Siyi was too arrogant.

Fortunately, Yang Yuhuan spoke well of him, otherwise Li Longji would definitely not treat him well.

Where are the bright eyes and white teeth now? The bloodstained wandering soul cannot return home.

Yang Yuhuan is a very contradictory character in Li Xuan's mind.

It’s as contradictory as the treatment of Li Longji.

There are always people saying that putting the blame of "bringing disaster to the country and the people" and "beautiful women are the root of trouble" on a woman is shirking responsibility.

Yang Yuhuan did not interfere in politics like other strong women, but she could not shirk her responsibility for indulging the "Five Yangs" and Yang Guozhong.

Yang Guozhong and the Five Yangs were the only people who caused unprecedented damage to the country in history.

Without Yang Yuhuan, or if Yang Yuhuan had been a little stronger, they would never have reached this point.

The Tang Dynasty went from prosperity to decline, and Li Longji was primarily responsible, with Yang Yuhuan perhaps ranking second.

It was then the turn of An Lushan, Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, the Five Yangs, the eunuch group, and the powerful families to share the responsibility.

However, Li Xuan remembered the many times Yang Yuhuan helped him.

If possible, he would repay...

Just as he believed that Li Longji had promoted, relied on and rewarded him all the way, and would definitely let Li Longji "enjoy his old age in peace."

The waves are clear and the sky is cloudless.

Yellow flags fly all over the sky, and stringed instruments roll across the sky.

The cavalry were lined up on both sides, leaning in the center, and there were also court ladies. The entire team consisted of more than two thousand people.

Before the civil and military officials arrived at the Xianyang Post Station, Li Xuan was waiting downstairs at the post station without putting on airs.

"The achievements of the Tianshui King in the Western Expedition will be remembered forever. Even if Wei and Huo were still alive, they would not be able to compare with him. We congratulate the Tianshui King on his victory! Today, in compliance with the order of the Saint, the Secretariat will lead the civil and military officials to welcome the Tianshui King to a banquet in the Hua'e Xianghui Tower..."

Yang Guozhong led the civil and military officials forward and bowed to Li Xuan.

Once upon a time, he was a fawning henchman following behind Li Xuan.

The Right Prime Minister was also the Minister of Culture, and held more than 40 diplomatic posts. He was undoubtedly the head of all officials.

But in front of Li Xuan, Yang Guozhong felt very uncomfortable.

"Right Prime Minister, Left Prime Minister. Please welcome him in person!"

Li Xuan saluted Yang Guozhong and Chen Xilie and responded.

Yang Guozhong would do anything to gain power.

He would never miss the opportunity to attack Li Xuan just because he was once Li Xuan's subordinate.

When he met Yang Guozhong again, Li Xuan was in a normal mood.

Do not live by committing sins.

He would not show mercy to people like Yang Guozhong.

"It is our honor to welcome King Tianshui!"

Yang Guozhong seemed to have inherited Li Linfu's sweet words but a sharp tongue, and was very good at speaking.

"King Tianshui drinks from the Mali Sea. In the future, you will be the leader in the Taigong Temple!"

In contrast, in Chen Xilie's eyes, Li Xuan was a troublemaker, and he wished Li Xuan would leave Chang'an as soon as possible.

Just like this time, he left for nearly three years, leaving the world to be quiet.

"Excessive praise!"

Li Xuan smiled.

Then Li Xuan greeted other third-rank ministers according to the rules.

After being dismissed from his post as prime minister, Li Xuan remained strong and marched westward like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves in the Western Regions, which greatly pleased the emperor and he rewarded him generously.

Many officials felt that Li Xuan would sooner or later be appointed prime minister for the second time to compete with Yang Guozhong for power.

The prerequisite is that Li Xuan can compromise on some things with Li Longji and stop thinking about reform.

Now the saint is enjoying his retirement and doesn't want to hear about troubles.

Li Xuan saw Li Xian, Pei Zunqing, Zhang Hao, Wei Jiansu and others in the team of civil and military ministers. They had their own ways of survival.

There were also Li Xuan's brothers Li Qian, Li Jiqing, and his father-in-law Jiang Du and Pei Fan, whom Yang Guozhong did not dare to touch.

Wang Wei was not among them. After returning from mourning, he was disheartened and spent most of his time in seclusion, claiming illness.

As for those who were more resolute such as Du Fu, Du Jing, and Zhao Fengzhang, they had long been dismissed from office or demoted.

Wang Changling, who was the prefect of Shangluo County, was also severely demoted.

"The court has changed a lot! The Right Prime Minister recommended many talented people, but I don't recognize any of them anymore."

Li Xuan did not mount his horse immediately, but spoke to Yang Guozhong in front of all the civil and military officials.

This time when he returned to Chang'an, he had already thought about what he wanted to do.

Fighting against the Yang family, even if it is useless, will let Chang'an see his determination.

"The best will survive and the weak will be eliminated. How many talented people are there in the world?"

In order to save his own face, Yang Guozhong answered like this.

"I heard that Nanzhao was causing trouble and the army failed in its first attempt to suppress the rebellion?"

Li Xuan asked this sensitive question again.

"King Tianshui, don't listen to those rumors. This is a small victory in our first expedition to the south. The southern barbarians are cunning and we need more troops. The army has already set out for Jiannan. Once the training is completed, we will capture Ge Luofeng and bring him to the Saint."

Yang Guozhong immediately retorted. He was afraid that Li Xuan would tell Li Longji the news.

Among all the civil and military officials in the court, only Li Xuan can convey the emperor's sincere messages.

"There is a lot of miasma in the south, don't go in rashly."

Li Xuan did not intend to expose Yang Guozhong's misconception, but just warned him.

Ge Luofeng is very capable. If Yang Guozhong wants to eat a big fat man in one bite, it depends on whether he has the appetite.

"This is Jiannan's business, so there's no need to bother King Tianshui."

Seeing that Li Xuan was deliberately embarrassing him, Yang Guozhong's words became tough. In order to prevent Li Xuan from continuing to speak in front of the civil and military officials, he urged: "The saint is waiting in Hua'e Xianghui Tower. Please ask King Tianshui to mount your horse and don't keep the saint waiting for too long."

Li Xuan said no more. After bowing to all the civil and military officials, he sat on a silver-white Arabian horse.

This is the young BMW given to Li Xuan by the King of Bactria.

During the Han Dynasty, the Kingdom of Bukhara was called "Dayuan", which has been famous for its horses since ancient times.

Generals such as Che Shensai and Li Siye also mounted their horses and followed Li Xuan.

The group drove towards Mingde Gate and Zhuque Street in a mighty procession.

Li Xuan has passed this gate four or five times in the form of "Crown of Glory".

Every time is a natural achievement!
Since the Tang Dynasty, no general had been able to pass through Suzaku Street under the spotlight of the public many times like Li Xuan.

From Shuofang to Longyou, Hexi, and then to the Western Regions, Hezhong, and Persia.

From the Turks, to Tibet, and then to the Arabs.

These were all great powers, especially Tubo and Daqin, but they were defeated by Li Xuan in their heyday.

The dismissal of Li Xuan from his position as prime minister due to the political reforms made him even more miserable.

A man who cares about his country and his people, a great hero, a great poet, in the Tang Dynasty where martial spirit was at its peak and poetry was flourishing, each label was enough to bring him glory.

Although the Changping granary had deteriorated, it still relieved many people of their urgent needs.

Ciyoutang, Jishengtang, etc., stood on the moral high ground, but were not abandoned because Yang Guozhong only reduced spending on them.

The change failed, but the seeds remained.

Including the Single Whip System and the Public Examination System, new concepts have emerged in the minds of people with lofty ideals.

While they were waiting for the "spring breeze to blow again", that man once again "became the prime minister".

At noon, amid everyone's anticipation, Li Xuan entered Mingde Gate again.

Many people in Chang'an have seen Li Xuan, but they are still looking forward to it.

They were fed up with unwarranted taxation, forced conscription, and the slavery of the Five Yangs.

One family had hundreds of slaves. The Five Yangs, Yang Guozhong, and other Yangs had thousands of slaves in total, like mad dogs.

They recalled the time when the young master was prime minister, when the rich families disciplined their children, the scoundrels dared not go to the market, and the Yang family kept their tails between their legs. It was a beautiful time.

In just three years, it has become like this.

"My little husband!"

"My young husband... My young husband..."

I don't know who shouted.

The entire Suzaku Street repeated in unison.

There was no heated discussion like before, only these three words repeated over and over, shocking the sky and stopping the clouds.

"Xianggong" was a special title for the prime minister in this era.

A person who has been dismissed from his position as prime minister can no longer be called prime minister.

And "Little Husband" has always been Li Xuan's title.

Even though Yang Guozhong was riding on a horse, the people treated him as air.

Originally, Li Xuan wanted to wave to the people along the way as usual.

After hearing the name of her young husband, Mo Ming felt a lump in her throat and burst into tears.

He immediately wiped away his tears with his left hand.

When the people saw this, they all choked with sobs and could not look up.

A scene of welcoming the heroes back to Chang'an, but full of complicated emotions.

Only the Hu people, who did not understand the Tang people's emotions, looked at the famous Heavenly General with admiration.

(End of this chapter)