"What? You want to go to that place? Impossible! I'm just a small assistant minister. I can't help you! "
In the west of Chang 'an City, in the study of a house, an old man in brown flicked his sleeves and said angrily.
In front of him stood a man in a gray robe wearing a bamboo hat. The wide bamboo hat covered the man's face. The man snorted and said, "You dare to disobey the orders of His Majesty? Don't forget who gave you your position today! "
The old man in brown was stunned and said, "My position today was given by His Majesty. What does it have to do with you?"
"His Majesty? Humph! You're really ungrateful! "
The man in gray sneered, "You were just a poor scholar who had no connections in Chang 'an City. You lived on the streets and were about to starve to death. Who promoted you and gave you an official position? It's said that those who are loyal are the butchers and those who are unloyal are the scholars. Now it seems that this saying is true! "
The old man in brown was scolded by the man in gray until his face turned red. He pointed at the man in gray and said angrily, "Even if I am indebted to him, it's too … But he's no longer in this world. What does it have to do with you?"
The man in gray laughed and then took out something wrapped in a handkerchief. He handed it over and said, "Take a look and see what this is."
The old man in brown looked at him suspiciously and then carefully took it. When he opened the handkerchief and saw what was inside, he suddenly opened his eyes wide and said, "This … you … your His Majesty actually …"
…
"Marquis, without His Majesty's order, I really don't dare to mobilize the troops without permission!"
Bing Province (Taiyuan), the Provincial Governor's Mansion.
A middle-aged man in an official's uniform smiled bitterly and said to Li Zexuan.
This man was Wang Liaoyuan, the Provincial Governor of Bing Province.
Now, Li Zexuan had encountered a rather awkward problem. Although he had obtained an imperial edict that allowed him to command the troops of the northern provinces, he couldn't show this edict to others. There was no proof. Even if he exaggerated it, no one would believe him!
This was also because he was a new noble and had the Emperor's favor. If it was someone else, Wang Liaoyuan would have sent the bailiffs to chase him out already!
Thinking of this, Li Zexuan couldn't help but feel depressed. He said with a speechless face, "Provincial Governor Wang, this Marquis said how many times this His Majesty's decree a few hours ago. Bing Province will receive it tomorrow at the latest, but the situation is urgent. This Marquis can't wait. You have to mobilize the troops now! Could it be that you suspect this Marquis of falsifying the imperial edict? "
Bing Province was more than six hundred kilometers away from Chang 'an. Even if they were to rush to Chang' an, it would still take them a day and a night! But Wu Jie was a Martial Grandmaster, only the Heavens knew how fast he could travel? Thus, Li Zexuan was secretly anxious.
Wang Liaoyuan smiled bitterly and cupped his hands, "Marquis, it's not that this official doesn't believe you, but this official is powerless to mobilize the troops! You don't have an imperial edict or a warrant from the Governor. Even if this official goes to the Bing Province Barracks, the generals there won't listen to this official's orders! "
"Governor?"
Li Zexuan frowned and couldn't help but mutter in his heart. He realized that he seemed to have overlooked something and frantically searched through his memories. A moment later, he finally understood. Bing Province didn't only have a Provincial Governor's Mansion, it also had a Protector-General's Mansion!
Bing Province (Taiyuan) was the place where the Great Tang rose. In addition, Bing Province was the largest city in the north and was relatively close to the Turks. It could be said to be an important military town. Thus, the Imperial Court set up a Governor's Mansion here and appointed a Governor to oversee the military affairs of the twenty-one provinces of Hedong Province.
During Zhenguan's time, there were still forty-one Governor's Mansions in the country. Under each Governor's Office, there were a few prefectures under their jurisdiction. During the Tang Dynasty, there were three different types of military governors. They were the upper military governor, the middle military governor, and the lower military governor. The provinces and counties under each Governor's Mansion were of different grades and had different names. As for Governors, they could directly govern other Governors. The provinces under their jurisdiction had to be at least ten.
The Bing Province Governor's Mansion had been established in the seventh year of Wu De's reign. It was similar to Li Ke's Yi Province Governor's Mansion. It governed the military affairs of Jiannan Circuit, and its power was at its peak!
Unlike Governors, the Imperial Court would normally only allow the Princes of the imperial clan (such as Li Ke) or important officials of the court to hold the position of Governor. This was because the position of Governor was far too important. With so many soldiers under one's command, if there was a rebellion, the Emperor would have to bear the consequences. However, because the Princes of the imperial clan held the position of Governor on a part-time basis, the ones who handled the affairs of the Governor's Mansion were these Princes or important officials of the court.
The position of Head Scribe was closer to that of an aide. They were good at handling practical affairs. Most Head Scribes didn't have a high status. However, the Senior Officials under the Governor Manor had a status equivalent to that of a provincial governor. They had real power and could even hold the position of Jiedushi. Their status was extremely high.
But then again, Li Zexuan really couldn't remember who the Bing Province Viceroy was. After all, he didn't specialize in history in his previous life. But even if he did, he probably wouldn't know who the Bing Province Viceroy was in the second year of Zhenguan!
"Governor Wang, who is this Bing Province's Governor? This Marquis will personally pay him a visit! "
Li Zexuan cupped his hands and said without blushing at all.
Wang Liaoyuan choked. He paused for a moment before replying, "Marquis, the current Governor of Bing Province is Cao Guogong! I'm not in Bing Province right now! "
Cao Guogong, Li Ji!
The current Li Ji wasn't Duke Ying yet. In the second year of Wude, Xu Shiji was given the title of Right Marquis General by Li Yuan. He was also given the surname Li. It wasn't until the eleventh year of Zhenguan that he was given the title of Duke Ying by Li Er!
In the eighth year of Wude, the Tujue invaded Bing Province. The imperial court ordered Li Ji to be the general of the army and expel the Tujue at Taigu.
In the ninth year of Wude, Li Shimin ascended the throne and appointed Li Ji as the Bing Province Viceroy. In order to avoid Li Shimin's taboo, Li Ji removed the 'Shi' in his name and changed his name to Li Ji.
This Bing Province Viceroy lasted for close to eight years. It wasn't until the seventh year of Zhenguan that Prince Jin, Li Zhiyao, became the Bing Province Viceroy that Li Ji 'retired' and acted as the Head Scribe of the Bing Province Viceroy Manor.
However, it was only in the first two years that Li Ji was in charge of military affairs in Bing Province. Later on, as the world stabilized, Li Ji began to play with 'remote control' tactics, 'remote control' the entire Bing Province Viceroy Manor from the capital of Chang 'an. His main purpose in doing this was to make Li Er feel at ease. After all, he controlled too many troops as the Bing Province Viceroy!
"F * ck!"
Hearing that the Bing Province Viceroy was Li Zexuan, Li Zexuan's face couldn't help but turn ugly. It was true that he knew Li Ji, but he wasn't in Bing Province. Even if he knew him, what was the use? The soldiers of the Bing Province Barracks wouldn't listen to his orders just because he knew Li Ji! In his anger, Li Zexuan couldn't help but curse, causing Wang Liaoyuan to be dumbfounded.
Clang!
Thinking that Wu Jie was probably one or two hundred li away from Chang 'an, Li Zexuan couldn't help but panic. He unsheathed the sword at his waist and placed it against Wang Liaoyuan's neck. The guards standing outside the door were immediately alarmed and rushed in, frantically shouting, "Protect Lord Provincial Governor!"
Although they shouted this, none of them dared to step forward. After all, Li Zexuan's status was even higher than Wang Liaoyuan's. If he was accidentally injured, none of them could bear the responsibility!
Facing the guards, Li Zexuan remained unmoved. He stared at Wang Liaoyuan and pretended to be cold as he said, "This Marquis orders you to immediately gather thirty thousand soldiers from the Bing Province Barracks and follow this Marquis to surround the Turkic State Teacher. If you dare to refuse, this Marquis will kill you right now!"
With a sword against his neck, it was impossible for Wang Liaoyuan to not panic. However, after hearing Li Zexuan's request, he helplessly smiled bitterly and said, "Marquis, this official has already told you that the soldiers of the Bing Province Barracks only listen to His Majesty and the Viceroy. Even if this official goes with you, no one will listen to this official! Even if you kill this official, it won't help! "
He was afraid of death, but he really couldn't satisfy Li Zexuan's request!
Li Zexuan was speechless. Of course, he wouldn't kill Wang Liaoyuan. He just wanted to test if this person was really helpless. Unfortunately, this Wang Liaoyuan really was helpless!
Letting out a long sigh, Li Zexuan removed his longsword and put the Wind Chasing Sword back into its scabbard. He then said expressionlessly, "This Marquis was just in a moment of desperation. I hope that Provincial Governor Wang will not take offense!"
"You can leave first!"
Wang Liaoyuan waved his hand and signaled the guards to leave. He then wiped the cold sweat on his forehead and hurriedly said, "This official wouldn't dare! This official knows that Marquis won't kill for no reason! "
Li Zexuan glanced at him and said, "Then what do you think this Marquis should do now? In all of the Hedong Circuit, Bing Province should have the most elite soldiers, and after attacking the Academy, Wu Jie will definitely flee the Great Tang as quickly as possible. If this Marquis does not lead soldiers to block his path as soon as possible, I fear that we will be letting a tiger return to the mountain, burying a fatal future threat for the Great Tang! "
Wang Liaoyuan thought for a while and asked tentatively, "Marquis, why don't this official gather the guards in Bing Province and follow you to set up the defense? When His Majesty's imperial edict arrives, the troops in Bing Province will naturally be under Marquis's command! "
Li Zexuan said unhappily, "Guards? Wu Jie is a Great Grandmaster with unparalleled combat strength. Are you sending these guards who have never been on the battlefield to their deaths? "
Wang Liaoyuan hurriedly said, "This official didn't mean that …"
"Sir! Your steward said that he has something to report! "
At this moment, a soldier hurriedly ran in from the outside and bowed as he spoke.
Wang Liaoyuan frowned and said unhappily, "Bastard! Can't you see that this official is talking to the Marquis of Yong 'an? Get out! "
"… Yes!"
The soldier wanted to say something but stopped. In the end, he cupped his hands and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
At this moment, Li Zexuan spoke. He had a pensive look on his face as he spoke, "Governor Wang, you should let your butler in!"
Since he couldn't borrow any troops, he didn't want to continue talking with Wang Liaoyuan. Now that Wang Liaoyuan's steward was here, he could listen to what was so important!
Hearing Li Zexuan's words without any intention of leaving, Wang Liaoyuan knew that Li Zexuan was going to listen to his family affairs. He couldn't help but feel nervous and prayed that the old steward didn't come to the magistrate court because of the trivial matters in his backyard. Otherwise, it would be so embarrassing!
"Yes! Marquis! "
With strange thoughts, Wang Liaoyuan turned around and said to the soldier, "Did you hear that? Marquis is merciful. Let the steward in quickly! "
"Yes!"
The soldier received the order and left. After a while, an old man in his fifties came in. The old man was trembling with fear as he held a piece of bright yellow silk cloth in his hands. After he came in, he knelt down without saying a word and said, "Master! The imperial edict is here! The imperial court used the Wang family's carrier pigeon in Chang 'an City to send His Majesty's imperial edict! Old Master, please take a look! "
…
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