Gao Manzheng didn't answer Du Qi immediately. After a moment of silence, he said, "Vice Envoy Du, I've pledged allegiance to the Tang dynasty. This is an important matter. As the Vice Envoy of the diplomatic mission, can you make the decision? What's more, after I submit to the Tang dynasty, can you decide what position I can hold in the Tang dynasty and what title I can be conferred? "
He questioned continuously, and his tone was rather forceful.
Gao Manzheng turned his gaze to Zhangsun Shunde and asked, "General Zhangsun, can you make the decision?"
Zhangsun Shunde stroked his beard and said, "Speaking of the arrangements for General Gao, I cannot make the decision. However, Du Qi could make the decision. Your worries are not a problem. "
Hearing this, Gao Manzheng was very surprised and even more puzzled. He asked, "He can make the decision?"
Du Qi was young and smart.
But when it came to the important matter of pledging allegiance, a great general like Zhangsun Shunde couldn't make the decision, yet this brat Du Qi could. Gao Manzheng found it strange no matter how he looked at it.
Du Qi did not keep him in suspense and explained, "General Gao, when I left Chang 'an, I received His Majesty's authorization to act as I see fit during my diplomatic mission. Not only that, when I was on a diplomatic mission, I met with officials one level higher. "
Pausing for a moment, Du Qi took out the Regal Token that Li Yuan had bestowed upon him from his sleeves. He said, "This is the Regal Token bestowed by His Majesty himself. Regal Token represents His Majesty. As for your position after you pledge allegiance to the Tang dynasty, it's up to His Majesty to decide. I can't make the decision. But I'm sure that after you surrender to the Tang dynasty, you won't be treated harshly. This is my answer. "
Hearing this, Gao Manzheng finally felt at ease.
Although it was impossible to determine his official position and title for the time being, with Du Qi in charge, things would be easier to handle. Moreover, as long as Du Qi agreed on behalf of Li Yuan, it was impossible for the Tang dynasty to refuse.
The reason was very simple. If the Tang dynasty denied Du Qi's decision and refused Gao Manzheng, who had already pledged allegiance to them, then who would dare to pledge allegiance to the Tang dynasty in the future? This was a matter of trust.
However, Gao Manzheng had some doubts.
Du Qi was just a child, yet Li Yuan granted Du Qi too much authority. It was truly not simple.
Gao Manzheng thought for a while and suddenly said, "Vice Envoy Du, are you perhaps the illegitimate son of the Emperor of the Tang dynasty? Otherwise, how could you have such power and influence, standing above everyone else? "
Du Qi couldn't help but laugh.
Gao Manzheng's idea was really unconstrained, saying that he was Li Yuan's illegitimate son.
"General Gao," Du Qi said, "My father is Du Ruhui, an advisor to the King of Qin. Because His Majesty trusts me, he gave me all the rights. This is His Majesty's great kindness. "
Gao Manzheng said, "Deputy Du, this is just a joke. Please don't take it seriously."
"It doesn't matter!" Du Qi said.
He also knew that this was just a joke from Gao Manzheng, and there was no malice in it.
Gao Manzheng's expression turned serious as he said, "General Zhangsun, Deputy Envoy Du, I'm willing to pledge allegiance to the Tang dynasty. However, after I pledge allegiance to the Tang dynasty, should I immediately announce it to the public? After all, this is not a trivial matter. "
Zhangsun Shunde still looked at Du Qi and didn't say anything.
He believed in Du Qi's judgment.
Du Qi said directly, "General Gao's pledge allegiance to the Tang dynasty will not be announced to the public for the time being. We may need General Gao's secret assistance on this diplomatic mission to the Turks. If the news of General Gao's pledge allegiance to the Tang dynasty is spread out, it may have a change in our plan to go north. Therefore, even if General Gao's pledge is to be announced to the public, it must be announced after we return. "
"No problem!"
Gao Manzheng replied with a smile.
For him, there was not much difference in announcing his pledge to the Tang dynasty earlier or later.
Gao Manzheng continued to ask, "General Zhangsun and Deputy Envoy Du, when are you going to go north?"
Du Qi said, "General Gao, do you have any suggestions?"
Gao Manzheng said, "I don't have any suggestions. After all, Deputy Envoy Du is very intelligent. With Deputy Envoy Du, everything is not a problem. However, I know a little about Xieli's situation. Xieli is very strong and self-opinionated. His methods are very tyrannical. You must be careful. "
Du Qi nodded.
After coming out of Chang 'an, Du Qi and Zhangsun Shunde had been collecting information about Xieli. Some information about Khan Xieli was already very clear. This was the so-called know thyself and know thy enemy.
Gao Manzheng said again, "General Zhangsun, there is one more thing. Yuan Junzhang has been captured. How do you plan to deal with him? "
Zhangsun Shunde didn't hide anything and said directly, "Yuan Junzhang won't surrender for the time being and is detained at Gate of Yan. If he doesn't surrender, there is only one result waiting for him, which is to be executed directly. "
Gao Manzheng nodded, but there was some worry in his eyes. After all, after he pledged his allegiance, if Yuan Junzhang had some complaints about him, then Yuan Junzhang would also pledge his allegiance and target him. That would be bad.
Du Qi chuckled and said, "General Gao, you don't have to worry. Even if Yuan Junzhang also pledges his allegiance to the Tang dynasty, you can't work together. At that time, each of you will have something to do. "
After hearing this, Gao Manzheng sighed in his heart.
Du Qi was really a monster.
He just asked about Yuan Junzhang's situation and didn't say anything. Du Qi actually saw through his intention. In the face of such a monster, even Gao Manzheng felt a little weak in his heart.
In front of Du Qi, he felt that he didn't have any secrets. Everything was seen through by Du Qi.
"Report!"
At this time, a soldier spoke outside the tent.
Gao Manzheng said, "Come in!"
The curtain of the tent was lifted, and a soldier strode in. He cupped his fists and bowed to Gao Manzheng, saying, "General Gao, there is someone outside the tent. He said that he is here to see you on the orders of Princess Yicheng."
Princess Yicheng, Yang Lizhi, had always been in the Turkic Khaganate. Her status was high, and she had cultivated a certain amount of power. In any case, she served Qimin Khan and his son.
Gao Manzheng ordered, "Let him in!"
"Yes!"
The soldier immediately went to inform him.
Gao Manzheng said, "General Zhangsun, Deputy Du, please hide behind my screen for the time being. I don't know why Yang Lizhi is here, but I can't let her leak your news. "
"Yes!"
Du Qi and Zhangsun Shunde hid behind the screen.
After a while, a eunuch entered.
This person was called Cao Cheng.
He was quite old, almost fifty years old. He was Yang Lizhi's eunuch. In the early years, he followed Yang Lizhi to the Great Sui and served her.
Cao Cheng was slightly arrogant, saying, "General Gao, I am here on the orders of the Princess. The Princess hopes that General Gao can kill Du Qi, Zhangsun Shunde, and the others who are about to go north, and destroy the Tang dynasty's diplomatic corps. "
Gao Manzheng said, "Why should I do that?"
Cao Cheng's face was solemn, saying, "As long as we kill the Tang dynasty's diplomatic corps, the Turkic Khaganate and the Tang dynasty will fight. At that time, the Tang dynasty will be defeated, and the Great Sui will be reestablished. On the day of rewards, the King of Sui will confer the title of King to General Gao. General Gao, for you, this is actually a very simple matter, why not? "
Gao Manzheng sneered in his heart.
Cao Cheng said it easily, but in fact, if he killed Zhangsun Shunde, Du Qi, and the others, on one hand, he would destroy Xieli's plan, on the other hand, he would not tolerate the Tang dynasty, and be caught in the middle.
The Great Sui had already fallen.
Even if Yang Zhengdao was there now, the Great Sui's power was gone, and it was impossible to restore the country. Moreover, Gao Manzheng did not believe in the matter of enfeoffment, because even if the Tang dynasty was not as strong as the Turkic Khaganate, it was impossible for the Turkic Khaganate to destroy the Tang dynasty.
Yang Lizhi's plan was nothing more than to use him to start the war and let Yang Zhengdao benefit.
Gao Manzheng was not stupid.
He was very clear about the current situation.
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