reax;
Ang Lee stopped his horse at the highest point of the mountain peak and looked back at the road they came from.
The mountain peak here was not steep. It was only 30 degrees inclined from the surface of the water. Horses could easily gallop up. When Li An first arrived, he had also discovered this path. However, there were many paths here. He had thought that this path leading to the top of the mountain was just an ordinary path. He had never thought that there would be a sizable valley behind the mountain peak.
"The most inconspicuous path at the top of the mountain is the real road to the valley. If we didn't know about it in advance, who would have thought that this is really a good place to hide."
"Big Brother is right. If the farmer didn't tell us, we definitely wouldn't have paid attention to this path."
Ang Lee looked back at the road they came from and then at the valley in front of them. He sighed and said, "If we hide tens of thousands of troops in this valley, do you think we will be discovered?"
"As long as we enter quietly and block the way in and out, I think it will be difficult to discover."
Ang Lee's eyes revealed a hint of excitement. He sighed and said, "Let's go into the valley."
A group of more than ten people rode their horses into the vast valley under Ang Lee's lead.
Along the way, they enjoyed the beautiful scenery and breathed in the fresh air. Everyone's mood was very high. Ang Lee was also quite emotional. If there were no more disputes in the world, it would be a good choice to cultivate a few acres of land in this valley, raise a few chickens and ducks, and live a good life with his family that would be envied by the gods.
However, after thinking about it for a short time, Ang Lee shook his head and rejected his idea.
The world was bustling for benefits, and the world was bustling for benefits.
Everyone in the world was busy seeking benefits, and as long as there were benefits, there would definitely be disputes, from small disputes over food to large conflicts over land and territory.
Benefits were everywhere. As long as there were people, there would be benefits. It was human nature to pursue benefits. If one wanted to find a paradise without conflicts of interests, perhaps one could only be like Tao Yuanming and live in seclusion alone in the mountains.
But when people really left the fight for benefits and lived alone, would they definitely feel happy? Of course not. Perhaps they would only feel comfortable when they just left, but after a long time, they would inevitably feel lonely.
Humans were creatures that pursued benefits, and at the same time, they were social creatures. Once they left the group and left the vexing struggle for benefits, their lives would become extremely monotonous and lonely.
What is life without disputes? Without worries, how can one prove that they are still alive?
If everyone wanted to live an idyllic life, who would protect the interests of the Tang dynasty?
Ang Lee gently shook his head and discarded the idea of hiding from the world. He sorted out his emotions and prepared to face the challenge to save the Great Tang Empire that was about to sink.
"Big Brother, there's a military camp five miles ahead. The Three Spirits might be there."
Ang Lee had already seen the barracks five miles away. However, Zhao Jingnong's temper was a little strange. It was really hard to say where he lived.
"There's a farmer in front. I'll dismount and ask. You guys stay where you are."
In order not to scare the people, Ang Lee decided to walk there alone. This way, he could eliminate the nervousness of the people and prevent them from being speechless due to fear.
With the previous experience, Ang Lee immediately asked the farmer about the Three Spirits' residence in standard Tubo language.
"A small Tang Army lieutenant can actually speak Tubo language so well. You're really not simple."
Ang Lee didn't expect that the farmer would directly praise him in standard Tang dynasty language.
"Uncle, you can speak the official language of the Tang dynasty so fluently. You don't seem to be an ordinary farmer."
Li An carefully sized up the old farmer in front of him, only to find that he was no different from an ordinary farmer. His skin was dark, his hands were rough, and his appearance was rustic. No matter how he looked at him, he was an honest farmer. He couldn't tell that he had any superior status.
However, ordinary farmers would never spend time learning the official language of the Tang dynasty. They also didn't have the conditions to do so. Just this point alone seemed to prove that the farmer in front of him was not simple.
Could this unremarkable looking old man be the Prime Minister, Zhao Jingnong?
Ang Lee suddenly thought of the father of rice in the future. He also seemed to have the image of a farmer. He didn't have the bearing and arrogance of a scholar at all.
"The Three Spirits are not free today. Officer Li, you should come again another day."
The farmer waved his hand and continued to wave the hoe in his hand.
How could a small farmer know that the Three Spirits were not free?
Ang Lee had a slight feeling in his heart. He cupped his hands and said, "Ang Lee has eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I hope the Three Spirits can forgive me."
The farmer suddenly stopped hoeing and slowly looked up at Ang Lee. He pretended to be confused and said, "Officer Li, are you calling me?"
Ang Lee smiled and said, "I think you are the Three Spirits."
"Oh, why do you say that?"
The old man said as he continued to hoe the field.
Ang Lee raised a finger and said, "First of all, you can speak the official language of the Tang dynasty. You must not be an ordinary farmer, but a person of status. Second, if you are not the Three Spirits, how dare you refuse me on behalf of the Three Spirits?"
"Hahaha, Officer Li is really smart. No wonder those Tufan assassins couldn't hurt you, and those treacherous people couldn't frame the Tang Army."
The farmer laughed and praised Ang Lee. Of course, he also admitted that he was the Three Spirits, Zhao Jingnong.
"The Three Spirits live in this paradise, but you also know about the world. Ang Lee admires you very much."
"Hey, I was just bored and heard some things outside. I don't have the ability to know about the world's affairs."
Zhao Jingnong still put on a humble attitude, as if he was a farmer.
Ang Lee looked around and frowned. "The Three Spirits have a noble status. Aren't you afraid of danger working here alone?"
"Danger? How can it be? There are usually no outsiders here. Of course, not everyone has Officer Li's eyesight and can recognize me with just a few words. Haha."
Zhao Jingnong whistled as he spoke. Suddenly, more than a dozen elite soldiers rushed out of the field not far away and looked at Ang Lee vigilantly. Li Kunxiong and others who didn't know the truth also rushed over on their horses.
"The Three Spirits have been prepared. It seems that Ang Lee worried too much."
Ang Lee smiled faintly and cupped his hands. "Since the Three Spirits already know about the situation outside, you should also know the purpose of my visit. Then, I will not beat around the bush."
After opening the map in his arms, Ang Lee pointed at the map and introduced the overall situation of Dongnu Province in detail. On the outside, it was mainly the struggle between the Tang dynasty and Tibet. Dongnu Province was unknowingly affected and the situation was quite dangerous.
In Queen's City, there were also two opposing forces. The Great Minister, Zhao Daiwen, and the Fourth Minister, Zhao Hui, sided with Tibet. Zhao Wufu, in order to protect the interests of Dongnu Province, chose to join forces with Ang Lee.
In addition, there was also the Second Minister, Zhao Yafu, who was guarding the northwest border against the Tibetans, and the Three Spirits, Zhao Jingnong, who was still peacefully farming.
"Officer Li and the Five Ministers have joined forces. Their strength is stronger than the Great Minister and the others. They still need the help of a farmer like me."
"The Three Spirits have the responsibility to protect Dongnu Province from being annexed by Tibet."
"Haha, Field Officer Li is indeed eloquent."
Zhao Jingnong smiled. "Actually, two months ago, I already knew that the Great Minister and the Fourth Minister had sided with Tibet. However, I didn't do anything and didn't want to ask about it."
Ang Lee was stunned. "What do you mean by that?"
Zhao Jingnong gently waved his hand and dismissed his subordinates. He brought Ang Lee along as they walked and chatted.
"Field Officer Li should know that most of the people in Dongnu Province speak the Tibetan language. This is because our Dongnu Province and Tibet have a common ancestor. We are all descendants of the Qiang tribe. We are born from the same root. Why should we fight against each other so urgently? If Tibet and Dongnu Province become one, it might not be a bad thing."
Ang Lee was shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect Zhao Jingnong to say such a thing. However, it seemed to make some sense.
"In that case, the Three Spirits are also loyal to Tibet."
Zhao Jingnong gently shook his head. "I only hope that the people in Dongnu Province can live a stable and good life. If we side with Tibet, we can avoid the disaster of war. Of course, I will support it. However, if this causes internal chaos in Dongnu Province, how can I support it? Even if the ancestors of the two countries are from the same tribe."
When Ang Lee heard this, he immediately understood Zhao Jingnong's thoughts. He was a person who cared about the people. The benefits he pursued were to let the people in Dongnu Province live a good life. However, the current situation was very bad. No matter what choice he made, Dongnu Province would not be stable.
The Great Minister and the Fourth Minister sided with Tibet, while the Second Minister and the Fifth Minister stood on Ang Lee's side. If the two sides continued to be hostile, it would definitely bring endless damage to Dongnu Province. However, the two sides had not officially revealed their cards, so there was no damage yet.
Since he already knew the ideals that Zhao Jingnong pursued in his heart, Ang Lee had to use this to persuade Zhao Jingnong to stand on his side.
"The Three Spirits are wholeheartedly thinking about the people. Ang Lee admires them very much. However, in order to frame the Tang Army, the Three Spirits actually ordered their trusted subordinates to slaughter six households and nearly a hundred ordinary people. Their methods were so cruel that it made one's hair stand on end. Think about it. Once such a person ascends to the throne, will the people in Dongnu Province still be able to live a good life?"
Zhao Jingnong sighed slightly. "Lieutenant Li, I know the Great Minister far better than you. The Great Minister is not such an evil person. This must be Wu Lun Yangguo's bad idea. He agreed to do this for the sake of the overall situation. For the sake of the overall situation, ruthlessness is only a temporary measure. If the Great Minister ascends to the throne, he will definitely not slaughter the people for no reason."
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