Zhangchou Jianqiong spread out the map on the stone table and pressed down on the four corners. After looking at it with interest for a while, he smiled and placed a copper coin in his hand on the map.
This was a map of Yi Province. Other than Yi Province, Tibet, Dongnu, Nanzhao, Dongcun, and other neighboring countries were all marked on the map.
In order to create this map, Zhangchou Jianqiong had expended a great deal of manpower and resources. For this reason, the map was extremely accurate. The surrounding mountains, rivers, cities, and garrisons were all clearly marked out. With this map, it was possible to see the surrounding terrain at a glance.
Below the location that Zhangchou Jianqiong had covered with the copper coin were the words Ping Rong City.
Why did he cover Ping Rong City? What game was Zhangchou Jianqiong playing?
Li An frowned and carefully observed the map in front of him. Gradually, he had some ideas, and his furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
Zhangchou Jianqiong naturally saw the change in Ang Lee's expression. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Since Officer Li has seen through my intentions, then tell me."
Ang Lee took a step forward and pointed at Ping Rong City. He said confidently, "Since Marshal Zhangchou Jie has placed the copper coin in Ping Rong City, it means that Ping Rong City is an important place in Marshal Zhangchou Jie's heart. This lowly one has looked carefully and found that Ping Rong City is between Tibet and Nanzhao. As long as our Tang dynasty controls Ping Rong City, we can block Tibet's path to Nanzhao and prevent Nanzhao from being threatened by Tibet to go against the Tang dynasty."
Zhangchou Jianqiong nodded in praise. It was because Ping Rong City was an important strategic location that he had spent so much effort to lead his army to seize this important city and firmly control it.
"Lieutenant Li is indeed intelligent. You can see the importance of Ping Rong City at a glance. However, Tubo's wild ambition will not stop there. Since they can't take down Ping Rong City, they can't wait to think of other ways."
Zhangchou Jianqiong praised Ang Lee and frowned.
"Marshal Zhangchou Jie is talking about Dongnu Province."
Ang Lee looked carefully at the map and found that Dongnu Province was south of Ping Rong City. If Tibet annexed Dongnu Province, not only would the Tang dynasty's Yazhou and Lizhou be exposed to Tibet, but Tibet would also be able to get in touch with Nanzhao more easily. It was very likely that they would use both kindness and power to threaten Nanzhao to fight against the Tang dynasty.....
Zhangchou Jianqiong nodded slowly. "Nanzhao is under the wings of the Tang dynasty. Being loyal to the Tang dynasty is a great advantage for them. However, if Tibet annexed Dongnu Province, Nanzhao's western border would be exposed to Tibet's military. As a result, I can't predict how the situation in Nanzhao would develop."
As the Jiannan Jiedushi of the Tang dynasty, Zhangchou Jianqiong was very worried about the alliance between Tibet and Nanzhao. Based on the current situation, Nanzhao's King, Piluoge, was loyal to the Tang Empire and had never opposed the Tang dynasty. However, that was because Nanzhao was under the wings of the Tang dynasty. If Piluoge opposed the Tang dynasty, his country would be destroyed.
Once Tibet annexed Dongnu Province and had a large border with Nanzhao, the international situation that the Kingdom of Nanzhao faced would change. The Tang dynasty only had 30,000 border troops in Jiannan, while Tibet would most likely have more troops stationed at the border of Nanzhao. As a result, Nanzhao might betray the Tang dynasty for its own benefits.
As the founding monarch of the Six Zhao Kingdoms and the founding monarch of the Kingdom of Nanzhao, Piluoge had great ambitions and strong confidence. He was an ambitious and ruthless person, and an ambitious and ruthless person would never have loyalty. In Piluoge's heart, there was only the concept of benefits. Currently, being loyal to the Tang dynasty was beneficial to him, so he naturally had to be loyal to the Tang dynasty. However, once the situation changed, he might not continue to be loyal to the Tang dynasty.
"Rest assured, Marshal Zhangchou Jie. I will do my best to completely crush Tibet's plot to annex Dongnu Province and let Tibet's Zangpu give up."
Ang Lee placed his palm on the capital of Dongnu Province and declared confidently.
Zhangchou Jianqiong stroked his beard in praise. "Li Xiaowei is both intelligent and courageous. This official does not doubt your ability. However, there seems to be some internal problems in Dongnu Province. You must not let your guard down."
Ang Lee was stunned for a moment before he hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed. "I am willing to listen to Marshal Zhangchou Jie's teachings."
In Ang Lee's view, Zhangchou Jianqiong must know something. If he could learn about the internal situation of Dongnu Province through him, it would be greatly beneficial to Ang Lee.
Zhangchou Jianqiong smiled gently. "It can't be considered teaching. However, this official has a sentence for Li Xiaowei."
"This official is all ears."
Zhangchou Jianqiong said softly, "Li Xiaowei must remember that you cannot judge a person by their appearance. After entering Dongnu Province, do not easily trust anyone. Remember, remember."
"This official will remember Marshal Zhangchou Jie's teachings."
Ang Lee respectfully thanked Zhangchou Jianqiong and bowed again.
Zhangchou Jianqiong lifted the map on the stone table and handed it to Ang Lee. "Li Xiaowei, you and I hit it off at first sight. This map has detailed the terrain and cities around Yizhou. You will definitely find it useful. Here, take it."
Ang Lee was overjoyed. "This official thanks Marshal Zhangchou Jie."
From the moment he saw the map, Ang Lee knew that this map would be of great use to him. He had originally wanted to ask for a copy, but he did not expect Zhangchou Jianqiong to take the initiative to give it to him. He was naturally overjoyed and accepted it with both hands.
Zhangchou Jianqiong gave a few more words of advice before slowly walking away.
Seeing Zhangchou Jianqiong's departing figure, Ang Lee sighed in his heart. Although he had only just met Zhangchou Jianqiong, he could tell that Zhangchou Jianqiong was a loyal subject who cared deeply about the Tang dynasty. He was one of the pillars of the Tang dynasty.
Zhangchou Jianqiong was also a descendant of a prestigious family. His ancestor was the Qin dynasty's general Zhang Han, who was later conferred the title of Prince of Yong by Xiang Yu. After being defeated by Han Xin, Zhang Han committed suicide. His descendants hid in Mount Chou and changed their surname to Zhangchou. They later moved to the grasslands and returned to the Central Plains during the Northern Wei dynasty.
Ang Lee carefully rolled up the map and went to learn the Tibetan language from Zhao Yefu. Dongnu Province was already within reach. Ang Lee needed to speed up his learning of the Tibetan language.
After resting for a day, Ang Lee led his men and continued to escort Prince Guichang to Dongnu Province. After passing through Shuzhou, Maozhou, and Yazhou, they arrived at the border of Dongnu Province.
Along the way, Ang Lee took out the map from time to time and had his men investigate the terrain marked on the map. The results were exactly the same as what was marked on the map. In other words, the map in Ang Lee's hands was very accurate.
Zhao Yefu gently lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the surging river on the side of the road. The corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
"Officer Li, the river beside us is the Ruoshui. Follow the Ruoshui to the north and you will reach the Queen's City."
Ang Lee tilted his head and smiled. "We are finally about to arrive. The Queen's City must be a very beautiful place. This humble subject has been looking forward to it for a long time."
Zhao Yefu looked at Ang Lee in a daze. "Officer Li, you have worked hard to escort us all the way. When we arrive at the Queen's City, you must stay for a few more days so that I can play host to you."
Ang Lee nodded. "Well, since Prince Guichang is so kind to ask me to stay, this humble subject will accept."
The main task of this trip to Dongnu Province was to crush the sinister conspiracy of the Tibetan people and to find out the anti-Tang forces in Dongnu Province. Before achieving his goal, Ang Lee naturally would not leave.
"Report, Officer Li, someone is blocking our way."
Half an hour later, the vanguard was stopped by someone and immediately informed Ang Lee.
Ang Lee and Zhao Yefu looked at each other and spurred their horses forward.
"Big Brother, there are archers lying in ambush on both sides. They seem to know we are coming."
Seeing Ang Lee spurring his horse forward, Li Feiyu reminded him softly.
Ang Lee frowned and said softly, "The other party should be the troops of Dongnu Province. Maybe they don't want us to enter."
"Big Brother, what should we do?"
"Let's go and take a look first."
Ang Lee spurred his horse forward and slowly approached the other party's troops.
"Who are you?"
Ang Lee said loudly, "Right Dragon Army Officer Ang Lee is ordered by the emperor of the Tang dynasty to escort Prince Guichang back to Dongnu Province. Hurry up and make way."
"Since you are the escort, now that we have arrived at Dongnu Province, you can go back."
A middle-aged man with a ferocious face roared.
Ang Lee could see that this middle-aged man was the leader of this group. He smiled indifferently, "I have long heard of the hospitality of Dongnu Province. We have worked hard all the way. Can't you let us go to Queen's City as guests?"
"Haha, our Dongnu Province is small. I'm afraid it can't accommodate so many of you."
The middle-aged man roared very unkindly.
Ang Lee couldn't help but be angry and scolded, "Dongnu Province is a vassal state of the Tang dynasty. You are always obstructing our army from entering. You are looking down on the Tang Empire. Aren't you afraid of being punished by the heavens?"
"Good boy, what a big tone. Do you think I am afraid of you?"
The middle-aged man sneered at Ang Lee.
Ang Lee was stunned when he heard that. This man called himself the prime minister. Could he be Zhao Yefu's uncle? If so, he really couldn't be too rude.
However, this man was so obstructing the Tang Army from entering Dongnu Province. Could he be the one who colluded with Tufan? Ang Lee frowned deeply and fell into deep thought.
"Fifth Uncle, why are you like this? Li Xiaowei is my friend."
Zhao Yefu slowly lifted the curtain and slowly got out of the carriage with the help of the maidservant.
She was worried about Ang Lee, so she ordered the coachman to speed up and quickly rushed over.
"I am here."
The middle-aged man bent down to salute Zhao Yefu. The people behind him all knelt down to salute.
Zhao Yefu stepped forward to help the middle-aged man up and looked at Ang Lee, "Li Xiaowei, this is my fifth uncle, Zhao Wufu. He is also the Five Prime Ministers of Dongnu Province."
"Ang Lee greets the Five Prime Ministers. I have offended you just now. I hope you can forgive me."
Ang Lee cupped his hands to salute Zhao Wufu.
Zhao Wufu glared at Ang Lee maliciously and looked back at Zhao Yefu, "I have 10,000 soldiers in Dongnu Province. Why do we need the Tang Army to protect us? Besides, I heard that they came here with bad intentions. It's better to let them go back immediately."
Zhao Yefu shook her head, "Fifth Uncle, why do you say that? If it weren't for Li Xiaowei's protection, I would have been killed by the assassins. Li Xiaowei is not a bad person. I believe him."
After that, she looked at Ang Lee affectionately.
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