Chapter 77 Promotion, General Zhongwu

"General Wang, I have accomplished my mission."

When Li Xuan saw Wang Zhongsi and the civil and military officials waiting in the north of Huile City, he stepped forward and bowed.

"The chances were slim, but General Zhongwu succeeded. Regardless of whether the process was difficult or not, the credit is top notch."

Wang Zhongsi grabbed Li Xuan's hand and was very tender about it.

"General Zhongwu!"

Li Xuan was stunned. Why did Wang Shuai call him that?

"Haha, this is the saint's edict. I'll take it for you. Just take a look at it!"

Wang Zhongsi handed a copy of the imperial edict to Li Xuan and joked, "This edict came early. Qilang's contribution is no less than before. In the eyes of the saint, this kind of merit is even greater."

Li Longji was ambitious and captured the Turkic Khan Usumishi and Basmith Khan Jiediishi alive, which was undoubtedly a greater achievement.

Li Xuan opened the imperial edict.

Li Longji commended Li Xuan's military achievements and officially appointed him as the military envoy of Feng'an Army, and concurrently as the military commander, which was the third-ranked figure in the Shuofang Army, second only to the Jiedushi and Jiedushi's deputy envoy.

He was puzzled because the original commander of the army was Zhang Qiqiu.

Li Xuan's military official title of General Ningyuan was promoted to General Zhongwu, a senior official of the fourth rank.

His status is higher.

In addition, Li Xuan was appointed as an official, General of the Left Thousand Bull Guards, a rank below the fourth grade.

The border generals remotely held the post of imperial guards, which was similar to that of casual officials, and was a sign of their status.

The real commanders of the imperial guards were Li Longji's trusted generals, Chen Xuanli and Fan Heng. They were given special privileges, and even if they were not officials of the 16 guards in the north and south, they could still command the imperial guards of the 16 guards in the north and south.

Li Longji also rewarded Li Xuan with 100 taels of gold and 1,000 pieces of silk.

He also lavishly rewarded the Feng'an Army and asked Wang Zhongsi to promote the officers and soldiers of the Feng'an Army based on their military merits.

"How can I be so worthy as to be appointed as the commander of the army?"

Li Xuan felt very ashamed. The Shuofang Army had so many veteran generals, but he was the one who surpassed them.

As the commander of the right wing army, Cheng Gui was able to defeat the Turkic left wing tribes. Cheng Gui made an indelible contribution and he should have been the one to take over.

It is easier to be an official if you have someone in the court. You don't need the flattery of Gao Lishi and Li Shizhi. Li Longji also trusts Li Xuan more.

"Don't worry about the others, they will be promoted."

Wang Zhongsi knew what Li Xuan was thinking and patted Li Xuan on the shoulder: "After returning to Feng'an Army, report the brave soldiers to me. Feng'an Army is already an elite force and has experienced brutal battles. I think it is okay to promote a deputy envoy, a few Langjiang, and a dozen Yajiang."

"You will finally understand."

Li Xuan knew that Wang Zhongsi's life would reach its peak after he destroyed the Turks. He would also control the four military governors of Shuofang, Hedong, Longyou and Hexi, and important towns with strong troops. More than half of the Tang Dynasty's troops would be under his control.

At that time, he would definitely promote generals such as Cheng Gui and Li Guangbi.

Wang Zhongsi authorized Li Xuan to nominate a deputy envoy from the Feng'an Army, and Wang Zhongsi wrote a letter to the emperor.

Wang Zhongsi can appoint other Langjiang and Yajiang, and he only needs to inform the Ministry of War after the appointment.

Ashina Fuwen and Gao Kai both performed outstandingly in the battle, and Li Xuan was struggling over who was more suitable.

"Zhang Qiqiu was dismissed and sent to Chang'an. I don't know what happened to him. That's why everyone knows that the position of the military commander is vacant. Now there is no candidate for the deputy governor."

Wang Zhongsi said earnestly.

This means that Li Xuan was likely to become the "captive commander" by virtue of his military merit in capturing the Turkic Khan and then serving as deputy envoy.

Li Xuan was too young, and Li Longji would definitely not consider making him a "general".

"Serving the country does not matter the size of the position." Li Xuan expressed this to Wang Zhongsi against his conscience.

"Let's go! Go back to the city!"

Wang Zhongsi nodded and took Li Xuan's hand back to Lecheng.

The commander-in-chief did not ride a horse and came on foot to greet him, so Li Xuan could not ride a horse either.

The army stayed outside the city first, and only Li Xuan's personal guards followed him into the city.

"I plan to order Qilang to escort the Turkic Khan and Basmith Khan to Chang'an. What do you think?"

On the way back to the city, Wang Zhongsi said to Li Xuan.

He considered that Li Xuan left home at a young age and it was a good opportunity for him to visit his family.

"I am willing, but I need to go back to Feng'an Military City first to arrange military affairs."

Li Xuan also wanted to take the opportunity to go home.

Missing his family was secondary. He wanted to observe the political environment in Chang'an to see whether Li Shizhi's position was stable and whether there were any traps around him.

"I allow you to return to Feng'an Army, and then you can set off for Lecheng in half a month."

Wang Zhongsi approved it and told Li Xuan: "According to the regulations, the Feng'an Army has 8,000 soldiers. New recruits will be given priority to join the Feng'an Army. In addition, many war horses were seized this time, and I will replenish the Feng'an Army's war horses to 4,000, add 1,000 sets of armor, and replenish the weapons."

"Thank you, General Wang. I will definitely train the new soldiers strictly." Li Xuan said.

"You are still the military commander, the military commander of the military garrison, and you can give suggestions to the generals at any time. There is the position of the military commander and his assistants in the government office." Wang Zhongsi reminded Li Xuan.

Li Xuan also served as the military envoy of Feng'an Army and needed to be in charge of Feng'an Army.

However, having the post of the military commander makes it much easier to deploy the army.

When joining forces with other Shuofang armies to go on an expedition, Li Xuan must be the chief general.

"You will finally understand."

Li Xuan responded, and took the opportunity to say to Wang Zhongsi: "This time we captured the Turkic Khan and obtained more than 20 packages of pearls and gems. During the pursuit, I promise to give one package to the soldiers."

"According to military law, embezzlement of spoils is a capital crime. But since the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, generals have often pocketed all the money they have obtained. Qilang doesn't like money, which is rare! I will estimate the price of a bag of pearls and jade, and take silk and money from the warehouse to reward the Feng'an Army."

Rewards often boost morale, and Wang Zhongsi agreed with Li Xuan's approach.

"Greedy people are very stupid. They are like shooting a pearl at a bird. Not to mention the salary, I can't spend all the rewards from the emperor in my lifetime. Why should I risk my life for something I may not use?"

Li Xuan didn't want to leave any loopholes for himself before anything was accomplished.

If Li Xuan coveted these jewels, Usumish Khan would inform Li Longji, and the good image that Li Xuan had worked so hard to build would be ruined.

For Li Xuan, it is not difficult to get wealth, but Li Xuan needs to distinguish between the primary and the secondary, and in this era, he must first grasp the power.

"well said."

As Wang Zhongsi clapped his hands, they entered Huile City.

Men, women, young and old from Huile City all came to watch Li Xuan capture the two Khans alive.

When they saw Li Xuan, they exclaimed and waved continuously.

All men aspire to become someone like Li Xuan in the future.

Li Xuan faced the people's enthusiasm with a smile.

The people living on the border are tough and there are many martial artists, so they revere heroes.

"So he is General Li who shot the tassel on a flying horse."

A tall young man exclaimed.

During this period, every time he heard about Li Xuan's achievements, he felt excited and felt that his life was not in vain.

Unlike other civilians, this young man followed Li Xuan's team.

They stopped at the Jiedushi's government office...

After returning to the government office, Wang Zhongsi met Usumishi Khan and Jiedieishi Khan and did not treat them rudely. After asking them a few questions, he placed them in the government office.

Li Xuan came to the office of the Military Commissioner to meet his assistants.

These assistants were originally Zhang Qiqiu's subordinates. They all knew that Zhang Qiqiu was suspected of not helping the dying, and they were afraid that Li Xuan would make things difficult for them.

Li Xuan was not so narrow-minded. After learning some basic information from them, Wang Zhongsi invited him to the banquet.

Having made such a great contribution, it was customary to prepare a banquet, and all the generals and officials congratulated Li Xuan together.

The troops outside the city were also given wine and meat by Wang Zhongsi, and they enjoyed themselves together.

In the afternoon, Li Xuan said goodbye to Wang Zhongsi, saying that he wanted to return to Feng'an Military City as soon as possible.

After half a month, they went back to Lecheng to escort the two khans back to Beijing.

Li Xuan hadn't had a drink for a long time, and after being toasted by the generals, he was a little drunk.

When leaving the government office, Li Xuan's personal guards came to support him.

"No need for support, I can walk steadily." Li Xuan stood still for a moment without affecting his normal walking.

When they were passing through a small alley, they heard a loud shout: "General, get out of the way, there are crossbowmen."

A man came out from the alley next to him, holding a powerful crossbow and pointing it at Li Xuan.

Li Xuan's personal guards heard the sound and reacted, immediately using their bodies to protect Li Xuan.

"call out!"

At the same time, the young man who was shouting picked up a stone and threw it at the crossbowman.

The stone hit the crossbowman and the arrow was fired.

But due to the influence of the stone, the crossbow arrow was deflected and passed by the armor of a personal guard.

"Damn it!"

The crossbowman was very angry. When he was about to reload his crossbow, the young man pounced on him and knocked him down.

Although the crossbowman was taller and stronger than an ordinary man, he was nothing compared to the height of this young man. He was pinned down and had no power to resist.

Pedestrians on the road were so scared that they ran around.

Li Xuan was completely awake. Seeing that the guards were still nervously protecting him, he gently pushed the guards away and walked forward.

"Draw the crossbow!"

Li Xuan picked up the powerful crossbow that fell on the ground. This was the standard infantry crossbow of the Tang army.

"Boom!"

Luo Xing and Xue Cuo led their men to pull up the crossbowman, search him, and beat him up with fists and kicks.

You dare to assassinate their general, you must be tired of living!
"Thank you for the reminder, brave man. Otherwise, my life might be in danger!"

Li Xuan was very grateful to the young man, but also felt a little scared.

It's so unethical to use such despicable means to deal with him.

But he always felt that he had seen this young man somewhere.

The main thing was that the young man was too tall, a full six feet five inches. Standing in the crowd, he was like a crane standing out among chickens.

"I just happened to run into it."

The young man chuckled. He admired heroes like Li Xuan and wanted to follow him.

After Li Xuan left the Jiedushi Mansion, he was afraid that Li Xuan would not accept him, so he followed him all the way. He happened to see the crossbowman taking out a powerful crossbow from a bag.

"May I know your name, warrior?"

Li Xuan remembered that he seemed to have seen this young man when he entered the city today.

"My name is Zhang Xing, I am from Shulu, and I travel back and forth to Lecheng."

Young people introduce themselves.

Zhang Xing!

Another person from Hebei.

Li Xuan remembered that during this period there was a Modao general in Hebei named Zhang Xing.

Judging from his figure, he is a Mo Dao general. Could it be him?
Although the Shuofang Army also had a Modao team, the Modao was a new weapon in the army after all.

It is now the early years of the Tianbao period, and there are not many generals who can bring out the power of the Modao team.

The Modao team needs tactics and a brave and fearless general who is good at using the Modao.

(End of this chapter)