Tibet

Prince Li Heng's situation has greatly improved since he secretly formed an alliance with Li Linfu. Although Yang Guozhong is powerful, his ability and skills are far inferior to Li Linfu, and he cannot pose a threat to Prince Li Heng.

It can be said that the most difficult moment for Prince Li Heng has passed. Under the secret care of Gao Lishi, he usually communicates with the outside world through his eldest son, Prince Guangping Li Chu.

In particular, he formed the prince faction through a group of senior court officials such as Wei Jiansu, Fang Guan, Li Dai, Cheng Ruoshui, and Miao Jinqing. He also received support from the military such as Chen Xuanli, Cheng Qianli, Gao Xianzhi, and Li Ye. His influence in the court was The power has been vaguely able to compete with Yang Guozhong.

This morning, Li Chu came to pay his respects to his father as usual. This was specially arranged by Gao Lishi to let Li Chu come to pay his respects to his father every day to show his filial piety and open the way with his filial piety. Yang Guozhong could not object, and the emperor acquiesced.

Li Chu knelt down and saluted, "My son, please pay your respects to your father!"

"Get up!"

Li Heng said again: "Did you pay homage to Li Linfu's soul for me?"

"My child went there yesterday, and coincidentally, Yang Guozhong also went there."

"How about that?" Li Heng asked.

"Li Xiu's brothers all went to please Yang Guozhong, but the boy was left out. The boy felt that Li Xiu did it deliberately to Yang Guozhong to show his loyalty, but Li Dai happened to come, and he personally took the boy to offer incense."

Li Heng nodded. Li Linfu's sons took a clear stand. Li Xiu originally burned incense for Zhang Jun. After being tricked by Zhang Jun, he now fawns over Yang Guozhong. He is really short-sighted and stupid.

"How is the relationship between Li Dai and Li Xiu?"

Li Chu shook his head, "This is exactly what the boy wanted to report to his father. The boy discovered that the two brothers were on the same level. Li Xiu hated Li Dai very much and publicly scolded him for not observing filial piety and not mourning for his father Ding You."

"Then what was Li Dai's reaction?"

"Li Dai said that loyalty and filial piety cannot be both balanced. He must first fulfill his loyalty and then his filial piety, abide by his duties, and do well in the imperial examinations entrusted by the emperor, and then mourn for his father. My father will definitely understand."

Li Heng nodded, "That's very good. What did Li Xiu say?"

"Li Xiu scolded him for farting, stepping on his brothers to climb up, even worse than a dog. The scolding was very unpleasant. Li Dai didn't say a word, took me to pay homage, and then put me on the carriage."

Li Heng was stunned, "Did he scold you in front of you?"

Li Chu smiled bitterly, "My child was also surprised. Li Xiu insulted his brother in front of a guest. It was so ungentlemanly. That's why my child said that they were incompatible with each other."

Li Heng smiled and said: "It must have something to do with the title, or your imperial grandfather treated Ding You differently when he was in mourning, obviously favoring Li Dai. It's understandable that Li Xiu felt unbalanced!"

Li Chu said coldly: "My child thinks he is a fool!"

Li Heng changed the subject and asked, "Is there any news about Li Ye?"

Li Chu took out a piece of paper and handed it to his father, "He asked his father Li Dai to give this to the child before he left."

Li Heng opened the note and there were only four words on it, 'Be polite to Mr. Pei! ’

Li Heng asked in confusion: "What does this mean?"

"Li Dai said that this Pei family is Pei Fang, the governor of Ganzhou, his father-in-law. Now that his father has passed away, Pei Fang will definitely send his son to pay homage. The meaning of Li Ye's note is to let the child win over the Pei family."

Li Heng walked a few steps with his hands behind his back: "How many troops does Pei Fang have in his hands?"

"Father, the Ganzhou Army has 12,000 troops."

Li Heng nodded, "Ganzhou still has a large number of horses and livestock resources. It is the most fertile place in the entire Hexi Corridor. Not bad! Not bad! Li Ye's reminder was very timely. You should have more contact with Li Dai. Once the Pei family comes to Chang'an, keep secrets When I meet him, I tell him that as long as the Pei family is loyal to me, I will never treat them badly in the future!"

"My child obeys your orders!"

Li Chu slowly retreated. Li Heng wrote the word "Pei Fang" on the paper and nodded secretly.

It was already mid-February when the westbound army arrived in Ganzhou. According to the Gregorian calendar, it should be March of Yangchun. The Hexi Corridor also entered the early spring season. The rivers thawed, the earth revived, and there was a vibrant scene everywhere.

The arrival of Li Ye's army was warmly received by the Pei family, who arranged a camp for them in advance. Li Ye's grandfather Pei Fang ordered his son Pei Jun to place more than 700 family members who accompanied the army, and they would stay here for two months. , and then continue north.

In the study, Pei Fang said to Li Ye: "Your grandfather passed away, you know!"

Li Ye nodded sadly, "I received the news in Lanzhou. When I left, my grandfather was already at his last moment."

Pei Fang sighed and said, "I have asked your uncle Pei Jia to rush to the capital on my behalf to pay my respects. He took the Jingyuan Road and may have missed you."

Li Ye added: "My grandfather passed away. Is grandpa a little anxious?"

"How could I not be anxious?"

Pei Fang said worriedly: "After your grandfather passed away, Yang Guozhong started a purge. All the officials promoted by your grandfather were demoted. Your grandfather's in-laws were also suppressed. It is estimated that it will be my turn soon."

Li Ye comforted him and said, "Grandpa, don't worry. If everyone is suppressed, my father will not be promoted to Minister of Rites. Grandpa actually belongs to my father's side and is not within the scope of Yang Guozhong's suppression."

Pei Fang asked happily: "Ye'er, are you sure?"

Li Ye nodded, "Of course I'm sure. Besides, Yang Guozhong can't touch the military. The military is in the hands of the emperor, or to be precise, it's controlled by Gao Lishi, and Yang Guozhong can't interfere."

"When you say that, I feel relieved. In fact, I have also figured out that being a Jiedushi envoy will be watched by the emperor and will be transferred after a few years. It is better to be the governor of Ganzhou with peace of mind and be stable for a long time. I The goal is stability.”

Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "High position and stability cannot have both, just like a person will be more stable when squatting down. If grandpa wants stability, then squat down."

"Yes! That makes sense."

Pei Fang pondered for a moment and then said: "I have prepared a batch of high-quality sheepskins, which I originally planned to send to Mrs. Guo Guo. I want to hear your opinion!"

Li Ye was startled and asked hurriedly: "Has uncle already taken the sheepskin to the capital?"

"Not yet, but I'm going to send a truck to Chang'an tomorrow!"

Li Ye breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly: "Don't give it away. Mrs. Guo Guo is greedy. Giving a little sheepskin will not do anything. Instead, it will make the prince jealous and think that grandpa is two-faced. At the critical moment, grandpa must not be on the wrong team."

Pei Fang suddenly woke up and said gratefully: "Thank you for reminding me, I really forgot about the prince."

Li Ye whispered again: "I already said hello to King Guangping before I left. He will meet the uncle on behalf of the prince. My father will also introduce him. He will remind the uncle, so grandpa doesn't have to worry."

Pei Fang gave a thumbs up, "Sure enough!"

Li Ye continued: "There are now rumors that Anlushan is constantly expanding his army, and his ambitions are getting bigger and bigger. I heard that many officials in Hebei are writing to the court, asking for Anlushan to be transferred, but the emperor is very stupid now and is completely Being controlled by the Yang family and doing nothing at all, I estimate that An Lushan will rebel within three years at most, and grandpa will be ready."

Pei Fang nodded, "I will squat lower and store more supplies!"

"There are also livestock and horses, such as camels, cattle and sheep, war horses, sheepskins, medicinal materials, and hay. These are the most needed supplies in times of war. Grandpa should contact my father more and stand firmly on the side of the prince."

"I see!"

Li Ye took a sip of tea and asked: "When I was in Liangzhou, I heard that Gao Xianzhi came to Ganzhou?"

"He went to inspect Ju Yanhai, and your second uncle Pei Jian accompanied him. He should be back in the next two days, or you should wait another day."

Li Ye just wanted to meet Gao Xianzhi and listen to his advice, so he nodded, "I'll wait for him for a day or two!"