Tibet

Li Ye rested for two days in Zhangye and was about to set off again. This time he was no longer just two people, but 300 of his men were traveling with him. These 300 people were all soldiers who fought with Li Ye, including two young captains, Pei Xiu. and An Taixuan.

In addition, Black Spear also received help from Pei Fang, who re-registered him in the military under the name of Ding Sheng and appointed him as a captain. Li Ye asked the three of them to lead one hundred cavalry each.

Three hundred soldiers each had their own horses, and there were also three hundred tall and strong camels in the team. Each soldier had a horse and a camel.

The war horses were responsible for carrying the soldiers' armor, and the soldiers all rode camels. The camels were also loaded with dry food, water and fodder. A few camels also carried thousands of taels of gold. These were trophies seized from Xue Feng's house. Of course they were not Li's. Ye's personal wealth, but the logistics wealth of this army.

Although Li Ye has the Emperor's Gold Medal, free supplies are not available everywhere. On the contrary, most of the time they have to spend money to buy them, and gold is the best currency.

On a cool morning, Li Ye and the Pei family said goodbye reluctantly. They left Zhangye City with a long team and continued to the far northwest.

In Chang'an City, the news that the Ganzhou Tang Army defeated Xue's cavalry reached the imperial court, causing fierce debates both inside and outside the court. Some praised it, believing that the Ganzhou Tang Army destroyed the invading Hu cavalry and severely punished Xue's decision-makers, thus promoting the prestige of the Tang Dynasty. .

There was no shortage of opponents. The opponents had no objections to the recapture of Juyanhai. They were mainly focused on the Tang army's invasion of the Xue tribe. The opponents believed that this would involve the court in grassland struggles and consume the national power of the Tang Dynasty.

At this time, Li Linfu resigned as the military governor of Shuofang, and the imperial court officially appointed An Sishun as the military governor of Shuofang. So who would be the military governor of Hexi?

Against this background, the Ganzhou Army's war against Xue's tribe became a bit complicated.

An Sishun recommended He Sinan, the governor of Liangzhou, to take over as the governor of Hexi Province. The Yang family strongly recommended the prince-in-law Yang Qi to be the governor of Hexi Province, while Li Linfu recommended Pei Fang, who had just made great achievements, to be the governor of Hexi Province.

The emperor Li Longji was undecided for a while, but at this moment, news came from Honglu Temple that Xue Yaoluo, the new chief of the Xue tribe, came with two million sheep to meet the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

In the royal study of Ziwei Palace, Li Longji was listening to the opinions of several prime ministers. He had already received the Xuebu's report from Honglu Temple.

Li Linfu bowed and said: "Your Majesty, this new chief made it very clear in the above table. It was the former chief who colluded with the Geluolu people, betrayed the interests of the Xue tribe, and invaded Juyanhai without authorization, which led to the Tang army's strong counterattack. They supported the Tang army to enter the Xue tribe to eradicate the culprits. Wei Chen believes that the Tang army entered the Xue tribe not only to maintain the dignity of the Tang Dynasty, but also to prevent the Xue tribe from being completely annexed by Ge Luolu. This is also very clear within the Xue tribe."

Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong disagreed over whether the Tang army should attack the Xue tribe. Yang Guozhong believed that the Ganzhou Tang army invaded neighboring small countries without the approval of the court, which would affect the external image of the Tang Dynasty and would cause other small countries to have a negative impression of the Tang Dynasty. He felt distrustful, so he believed that Pei Fang not only had no merit, but also should be punished.

Li Linfu insisted that the Tang army invaded the Xue tribe to severely punish the culprit, and it was the inevitable result of the Xue tribe's invasion of Juyanhai. The Xue tribe could invade the Tang Dynasty at will, but the Tang army did not dare to fight back. What kind of truth is this? Wouldn't the Tang army's destruction of the Turks affect its own image?

In this matter, most of the courtiers supported Li Linfu and did not agree with Yang Guozhong's cowardly compromise idea. However, now that Yang Zhongguo was in power, most of the courtiers did not support him and did not dare to say anything.

Of course, Yang Guozhong objected because Pei Fang was a relative of Li Linfu, and he did not want Pei Fang to serve as the governor of Hexi at this time and become Li Linfu's powerful foreign aid.

But now Xue Yaoluo's appearance came at the right time and became an excellent assist for Li Linfu. Even the Xue Ministry internally supported Tang Jun's intervention. What else could be said?

"Wei Xiangguo, what do you think?" Li Longji glanced at Wei Jiansu and said.

Wei Jiansu said calmly: "Reporting to your majesty, I have carefully read the battle report of Governor Pei. The Tang army defeated the Xue tribe's cavalry at Juyanhai, and the forwards pursued Xue tribe. The opponent's main force fought a decisive battle and defeated 6,000 enemy troops with 1,000 cavalry. Not to mention the glorious results, as far as the battle itself was concerned, Wei Chen believed that the Battle of Juyanhai and the Battle of Yantuoshui were actually one battle, just divided into two battles. The first half and the second half, so Wei Chen agrees with Li Xiangguo’s opinion.”

Wei Jiansu had a clear attitude and directly supported Li Linfu. His reasons were very sufficient and irrefutable. He was standing from a fair perspective.

"Where is Chen Xiangguo?"

It was Chen Xilie's turn again. Chen Xilie said after a while: "Wei Chen also feels that it is inappropriate for the Ganzhou Army to send troops to Xue without the consent of the imperial court!"

Chen Xilie's attitude is also very clear, clearly supporting Yang Guozhong.

Finally, it was Zhang Jun's turn. It seemed like the emperor was asking for everyone's opinions, but the emperor kept asking the political affairs hall to express their opinions. Everyone knew very well that it was actually the vote of the political affairs hall.

Now it's two to two. The attitudes of both sides are clear-cut and unambiguous at all. Zhang Jun's statement is very important. It can be said to be the key vote. Everyone's eyes are looking at him.

Zhang Jun felt Li Linfu's sharp gaze. He swallowed and said cautiously: "Sending troops to Xue Bu, Wei Chen doesn't think it's a big problem. Even the person involved, Xue Bu himself, agrees, but we think it's inappropriate. That's a bit redundant. But regarding the appointment of the Hexi Jiedu Envoy, Wei Chen believes that His Majesty must carefully consider all aspects and seek a solution acceptable to everyone."

Yang Guozhong's face suddenly turned ugly. He never expected that Zhang Jun would favor Li Linfu at the critical moment. Zhang Jun was recommended by the Yang family to become the prime minister. How could he betray him at the critical moment?

Li Longji nodded, "I understand the opinion of the Political Affairs Hall. All my dear friends, please step aside! I will think about it again."

The five prime ministers all retired. Li Longji walked a few steps in the lobby with his hands behind his hands. He turned back and asked Gao Lishi, "What does Gao Aiqing think?"

Gao Lishi knew the emperor too well. The dilemma for the emperor now was not at all about whether to send troops to the Xue tribe. The emperor was so happy about his success. Pei Fang attacked a small country that was not a subject, promoted the prestige of the Tang Dynasty, and deterred Ge Luolu. It was too late for the emperor to be happy, so how could he be charged?

The emperor's dilemma now is the appointment of the Hexi Jiedushi.

Gao Lishi smiled slightly and said, "Didn't your Majesty find something very subtle and interesting in Pei Fang's battle report?"

"Where's the subtlety and fun?"

"At the front, 'I have seen the Holy Order's order, and I have sent a thousand troops as the advance, and the humble ministers have led ten thousand as the back-up.' There is a person hidden in this sentence!"

Li Longji frowned, "When did I give him the signal?"

"Your Majesty indeed did not give Pei Fang a message. If Wei Chen guessed correctly, the message here is the gold medal your Majesty gave to Li Ye, and it was Li Ye who led an army of one thousand to advance!"

"ah!"

Only then did Li Longji react, "Why didn't he tell me?"

"If he says it clearly, Li Xiangguo will avoid suspicion. Besides, His Majesty has just appointed Li Ye as General Mingyuan, and now he has made great achievements. How can Your Majesty appoint him? I admire Pei Fang's forethought and thoughtfulness very much. , not only hinted at Li Ye's contribution to His Majesty, but most ministers could not understand the meaning of the order."

Li Longji suddenly realized, "So, the young general who attacked Ju Yanhai at night was Li Ye? He was also the general who led a thousand cavalry to defeat Xue's 6,000 enemy troops?"

"It should be him! The last part of the report, 'Carry orders to the west and serve the country,' means it's him!"

Li Longji laughed dumbly and said: "This brat, how come he has something to do with him everywhere?"

Gao Lishi smiled and said: "The Geluolu people want to exchange three million sheep for his head, and Xuebu has offered a reward of 100,000 sheepskins for his life. It is all related to him. It would be strange if he doesn't go!"

Li Longji nodded, "His merit will be recorded in the account first, and we will consider it together after Anxi has made meritorious service. Being promoted too quickly is not a good thing for him!"

After a pause, Li Longji continued: "I am considering letting Ge Shuhan concurrently serve as the Hexi Jiedushi envoy, and Pei Fang be the deputy envoy of the Hexi Jiedu envoy, and continue to serve as the governor of Ganzhou. What does Ai Qing think?"

This plan is good and takes into account many aspects. Gao Lishi praised: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Longji immediately said to the scholar of Jixian Palace who was on duty: "Once again, I will pass on my decree. Pei Fang, the governor of Ganzhou, has fulfilled his duties faithfully and has made meritorious service in defending the land. He was specially named the champion general, given the title of Duke of Zhangye County, and was promoted to the deputy envoy of Hexi Jiedu." He is also the governor of Ganzhou, and all other generals participating in the war will be promoted to one rank!"

As for Li Ye, the biggest hero, Li Longji selectively ignored it.