Tibet

Yique County is located eighty miles south of Luoyang City, but the military camp is located in Pengpo Town, the northernmost part of Yique County, which is only twenty miles away from Luoyang City. It belongs to Yique County in name, but in fact it is Luoyang.

There are three military camps here, collectively called Nanda Camp, and there are also the first, second and third battalions. The third battalion stationed under Li Ye can station 10,000 troops and 5,000 horses, so his 3,000 cavalry are relatively small. Comfortable.

Shen Qiao, a doctor in the Ministry of War, said to Li Ye: "Your Majesty, the King of Qi, the imperial court will provide five thousand cavalry with food and grass for half a month, as well as some vegetables and meat. If it is not enough, you can only buy it yourself. I am really sorry, the imperial court has limited financial resources. "

Li Ye chuckled, "No need to explain, I know. What should I do if I go into the city?"

"His Highness can lead 500 people into the city. The upper limit of people entering the city is 300, but an exception is made for His Highness. His Highness can lead 500 guards. Your Highness should have the gold medal for entering the city!"

Li Ye nodded and said: "This is a private matter for me. I have no plans to meet the emperor or visit the court. I plan to stay in Luoyang for about ten days. Please go back and tell me."

"I remember my post, and I will tell it to the court. In addition, I am the liaison officer. If Your Highness has any other requests, feel free to put them forward."

"Thank you, Dr. Shen!"

Shen Qiao said goodbye and left. Li Ye called for Xue Yong, the commander of the soldiers, and Zhang Yun, the deputy commander, and said to them: "Zhang Yun led 500 people to follow me into the city, and Xue Yong guarded the barracks. Except for my order, the court's No arrangement is acceptable."

Xue Yong bowed and said: "I humbly obey my orders!"

After arranging the garrison, Li Ye led five hundred cavalry and followed Dugu Pingyang into the city.

When Li Ye came to Luoyang for negotiations at the beginning of the year, he was stationed in Xineiyuan. He spent most of his time in Ruzhou and did not enter Luoyang. The last time he entered Luoyang was when he regained Luoyang two or three years ago.

In just a few years, Luoyang's decline and decline can no longer be seen, only prosperous commerce and a steady flow of people can be seen.

Five hundred soldiers holding large shields and swords surrounded Li Ye. As they walked, they watched the situation around them vigilantly.

This time, due to the turmoil in the court, Li Ye's security was extremely tight. Not only were his personal guards all masters, but Aunt Gongsun also came with several apprentices. They protected the princess and went to Dugu Mansion first.

Not long after, the team arrived at Anyefang. As soon as they entered the square, they saw the Dugu Mansion, which was full of paper figures and horses. A huge tent was built in front of the mansion for officials and friends to come and pay their respects.

Hearing that Li Ye had arrived, Dugu Lie took several of his sons to wait for Li Ye in front of the tomb.

Li Ye quickly dismounted his horse and stopped Dugu Lie and said, "Father-in-law, you don't have to be like this. We are all members of your own family. Please put a mourning hat on me! I want to pay homage to my grandmother."

Dugu Lie personally put mourning on his son-in-law and said to Li Ye: "Grandma's coffin is at Wan'an Temple. The memorial shed here is for the officials to worship. Let's go to Wan'an Temple. The new moon is also in Wan'an Temple."

Li Ye nodded, got in the car with Dugu Lie, and turned around to go to Wan'an Temple in Chunhuafang next door.

On the carriage, Li Ye pointed to the five hundred soldiers following him outside and said, "Is there a place where the five hundred cavalry can be stationed? If it's not convenient, I'll let them return to the military camp at night."

Dugu lie said apologetically: "This time the old lady ascended to immortality, people from the Dugu family from all over the country came. The two mansions were crowded, and all the inns in the house were full. I really can't arrange for 500 people. If I There is no problem in Chang'an, after all, Luoyang is not our territory, I'm sorry!"

Li Ye smiled and said: "Father-in-law, there is no need to be polite to me, let alone apologize!"

Dugu Lie nodded, "You should go back to the military camp at night, and don't go to your parents' house. I really don't trust your safety in the city. Now Luoyang City is full of murderous intent, the situation is strange, and many forces are ready to take action."

"Many forces?"

Li Ye was slightly startled, "Father-in-law refers to the feudal town?"

"It's not just them, there are many forces that you can't think of, such as the Yuwen family, you must not think of it?"

Li Ye was stunned, "The Yuwen family, aren't they all exiled to Lingnan?"

"They have been back a long time ago, but they are very low-key. You don't know it. I heard from your third uncle that they have close contacts with the Khitans in Youzhou. The Khitans occupied Yingzhou and the Andong Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty. They Joining forces with Xi Ren, they are ambitious for the Tang Dynasty, and they will not be absent at this time.

There are also the Uighur forces, even the restoration forces of Goguryeo, and the number of warriors from the Bohai Kingdom suddenly increased in Luoyang. It is said that many top killers and assassins came to Luoyang from all over the country to look for opportunities to make money, not to mention the vassal forces, so I said the situation is rather strange. "

Just as Li Ye was about to ask the court about the situation, the carriage slowly stopped.

Dugu Lie was a little surprised. Why did the carriage stop before he arrived at Wan'an Temple?

"what happened?"

The leader of the servants outside said: "Sir, Zhang Guozhang is saluting in front of the gate of the mansion."

"Is Zhang Guozhang the father of Queen Zhang?" Li Ye asked with a smile.

"Exactly, Zhang Li, the king of Jinling County, the father of Empress Zhang and Zhang Zhaoyi, is currently the Minister of Guanglu Temple. There are rumors that he will soon become the Prime Minister to replace Yuan Zai. Empress Zhang paid for the reconstruction of Wan'an Temple for her father. I owe him a favor this time, my dear son-in-law, let’s meet him!”

Li Ye nodded and followed Dugu Lie out of the carriage.

Next to the road is a majestic mansion, covering an area of ​​at least fifty acres. This is the Guozhang's Mansion. Zhang Li, the Guozhang, was originally a petty official in Luoyang. His daughter participated in the imperial palace draft and entered the East Palace. She was favored by the prince and granted a title. As Liangdi, after Prince Li Heng ascended the throne, he was promoted to queen, and his youngest daughter was also made Zhaoyi.

Zhang Li was a low-level official, and he was very understanding of the world and a tactful person. This time, Old Lady Dugu sent her spirit to Wan'an Temple. He also specifically ordered the temple to be closed and a group of monks to serve the Dugu family. Dugu Lie was very grateful to him.

At this time, Zhang Li, the abbot of the state, came forward and saluted with a smile on his face: "I heard that the Dugu family came from all over the country, and there are so many people that your mansion may not be able to accommodate you. I happen to have an empty house next to Wan'an Temple, which I can lend to the head of the Dugu family. "

Dugu Lie was overjoyed. He was worried that there would be no place for more than 30 people from the Dugu family in Longyoufang to come over. Zhang Guozhang was here to help them in times of need!

"Thank you so much Zhang Guozhang!"

"You're welcome, it's easy."

At this time, Zhang Li saw Li Ye, his expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "I don't know that His Highness the King of Qi is coming, so I am not expecting him from afar!"

Li Ye saw that Zhang Guozhang was short and fat, with small eyes, a small nose and a round face, resembling a woodchuck. He smiled slightly and said, "I'm sorry, Zhang Guozhang. I heard that Zhang Guozhang helped me this time. Thank you very much!"

Zhang Li was overjoyed. Dugu Lie said a hundred thanks, which is not as good as His Highness King Qi's thank you.

"Hey! There are old people in every family. It's right to compare one's feelings with others. It's also an honor for me to be able to do my little bit to help Old Lady Dugu ascend to heaven!"

This man was good at talking and had a very low profile. Li Ye had a good impression of him.

"I'll treat the father-in-law to a drink when I get the chance!"

"It's such an honor. Your Highness, please! Master of the family, please!"

Li Ye and Dugu Lie got on the carriage again, and the carriage started. Zhang Li stood by the road and bowed to see the carriage away.

Li Ye nodded, "This person is very good at dealing with things. What is his usual reputation?"

Dugu Lie smiled and said: "The Zhang family does not have a bad reputation in Luoyang, but this person is famous for being stingy in Luoyang. He is not only stingy to outsiders, but also stingy to himself. He is an out-and-out iron rooster.

The clothes of his servants are all made of coarse cloth, and they only have the same clothes for spring, summer, autumn and winter. His servants have to pay for winter clothes by themselves. The remaining lees from Guanglu Temple's brewing are usually thrown away, but he transports them all home to continue pressing wine. , sent to various restaurants for sale, and the remaining dregs were also used to raise pigs, which became a joke in Luoyang. "

Li Ye laughed dumbly, "He is diligent in running the household, but such a stingy person seems to be a bit contradictory to being humane."

"He's watching people order food!"

Dugu Lie said calmly: "We gave the temple thousands of guan of sesame oil money, and gave him a thank you gift worth at least 2,000 guan. If he is willing to lend me the house, I will let him suffer? He is very smart!"

At this time, the carriage stopped again and Wan'an Temple arrived.