Zhang Shuo felt that he had found an opportunity. The more he spoke, the smoother he became. He repeatedly told Li Longji about the various benefits of taking over Jinchuan.
How could Li Longji not know about the benefits of taking over Jinchuan? Jinchuan did not belong to the Tang Empire. The terrain there was dangerous, and if he could rule it, it would be much easier to deal with Tubo.
However, it was precisely because of this that he felt that he could not take over that place. If he did, it would be tantamount to falling out with Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Tubo, who was originally in an honest state, could easily be forced into a corner. Not only Tubo, but the Tujue might also interfere.
Hearing Zhang Shuo say that he would send people to seize Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's slaves, Li Longji's eyes revealed an inexplicable emotion. This emotion was directed at Zhang Shuo.
Zhang Jiuling, who was guarding at the side, looked at the Emperor's expression and found that something was wrong. He was too calm, and his eyes narrowed because of Weiwei. He was worried that Zhang Shuo would anger the Emperor, so he quickly interjected.
"Lord Zhang, Jinchuan is where Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan earn money. I think that the people there will only listen to the two of them. It seems inappropriate to send people to manage it."
Just as Zhang Shuo was thinking of a way to make the Emperor agree to his suggestion, he was interrupted by Zhang Jiuling's words. He looked at Zhang Jiuling with a bit of dissatisfaction. When he saw Zhang Jiuling look back at him with a gaze that was not easy to see in the past, his heart trembled, and he finally reacted.
He carefully looked at the Emperor again and did not mention who should be sent. He then glanced at Yu Wenrong, who spoke up for him just now, and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Jiuling is right. Think about what Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan are thinking. I wonder if Your Majesty has a plan for the two of them?"
When Zhang Shuo said this, he felt very helpless. He understood that the Emperor's support for Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan was very firm. If he wanted to touch the two of them, it seemed that Jinchuan was not a good opportunity.
Moreover, recently, he also felt that the Emperor's attitude towards him seemed to have changed. It was not that the Emperor suddenly distanced himself from him, but when he spoke to him, there was less of the usual casualness, and more of a businesslike manner.
This was not good. He had to think of a way to make up for it.
Li Longji glanced at Zhang Jiuling, but didn't say anything. He nodded at Gao Lishi, who hurriedly stepped forward and reached into his bosom. When he looked again, there was a letter in his hand.
Then he turned to the others and said, "After Xiao Bao and Cuckoo found out about the Fire Beacon, they came up with a plan. Gentlemen, please take a look."
As he spoke, Gao Lishi delivered the letter to Yu Wen Rong.
The content of the letter was slightly more than usual. Yu Wen Rong first skimmed through it, but then his eyes widened, as if he had seen a ghost. He carefully read the letter from beginning to end, and his body couldn't help but tremble, as if he had seen something shocking.
The others couldn't help but be curious. What exactly was written in the letter that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan sent that made the practical Yu Wen Rong so scared?
"Lord Yu, may I take a look?" Li Linfu, who had always wanted to learn and surpass Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan one day, saw that Yu Wen Rong didn't hand the letter to anyone else, so he reminded him.
Yu Wen Rong blankly handed the letter to Li Linfu. He stared blankly at the letter. Those who knew him knew that this was his expression when he encountered something special.
Li Linfu took the letter and carefully read it word by word. After reading it, he also shivered and sucked in a breath of cold air. He handed the letter to another person, and said to Li Longji, "Your Majesty, this subject understands today what it means to be so intelligent that it's almost like a demon. This subject is inferior."
Li Longji's head moved up and down slightly, indicating that he agreed with Li Linfu's words. In his heart, he thought, 'Do I need you to say this? Otherwise, how could I have been fooled? Who would have thought that something would happen to Jinchuan, and that the two of them could be used to deal with the people of northern Hebei Province? '
The letter was passed around one by one. Everyone who read the letter had an unusual expression. They were frightened, but at the same time, they felt sorry for the people from the Martial Manor.
Those people didn't pay the rent tax, and some people didn't even pay the tribute. Look at what happened now. His Majesty sent two children to see whether they would pay the rent tax or not in the future. Those who looked down on the children might pay enough, even to the extent that it was unbearable.
Zhang Jiuling read the letter and said as if he was talking to himself, "At first, he thought that it was just two children who were easy to deal with. Later, he understood that His Majesty sent the two most powerful people in our province. Alas! It's time, luck, and fate. "
His voice was not loud, but in the quiet environment, others, including Li Longji, heard it clearly.
No one refuted Zhang Jiuling's words. As he said, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan could be said to be the two most powerful people in the Tang Empire. They should be deeply honored to be sent to Jili Province to suppress the Martial Manor in northern Hebei Province.
Li Longji had the feeling of being praised for his ability to judge people and was in a very good mood. If it weren't for Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, he would have to marry a princess. Although it was a princess in name, it was still uncomfortable. Only when there was no other way could he use women in exchange for a period of stability.
'Who would know that every woman I marry is a disgrace?' Li Longji thought to himself.
Zhang Shuo also finished reading the letter. He thought about it and said, "Your Majesty, if something really happened to Jinchuan, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan will lead the troops to battle. If the people of the Martial Manor don't cooperate and they take action, will the capital send troops to help?"
"What do you think, Minister Zhang?" Li Longji did not answer but asked in return.
Zhang Shuo hesitated and said, "I think that if Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan find an excuse to send troops to other Martial Manors, the imperial court can't directly send troops to help. They are using friendship as an excuse. If they send troops, it will be a private army. Your Majesty, when the time comes, you will need to punish them and reprimand them for sending troops without permission."
"Well, that's natural. Is there anything else?" Li Longji agreed with Zhang Shuo's statement. Even if he wanted Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan to beat the other side into submission, he had no choice but to issue a statement when the two of them were making a move. Otherwise, if someone else followed suit and secretly sent out troops, should he interfere or not?
Seeing that the Emperor asked him again, Zhang Shuo continued, "The imperial court can't send troops, but it can make a move to deploy troops. It will put pressure on the Martial Manor in Henan Province and make them not dare to act rashly."
Li Longji was satisfied. He was very angry just now that Zhang Shuo wanted to go against the two children at such a critical time. He asked the others, "Who has other ideas?"
Everyone was silent, which meant that they agreed with Zhang Shuo.
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