Yong and Liang Provinces were vast, but sparsely populated. With so few people, any strange or noteworthy story spread at lightning speed.
Because of that, everyone was familiar with the grudge between Ma Chao and Yan Xing.
This general under Han Sui was now most famous in Yong-Liang for just four words:
"Nearly killed Ma Chao."
For that reason, whenever Ma Chao talked about how he had swept through Yong-Liang and how the Qiang and Hu all followed him, Zhang Fei would loudly interrupt:
"Then how come you couldn't even beat Yan Xing?"
At that point, Ma Chao's endless boasting would immediately turn into speechlessness.
If Liu Bei was not present, Zhang Fei would usually add another line:
"Mengqi, that look on your face right now is pretty similar to my second brother's."
And then a perfectly fine conversation would end with an appointment to settle things at the training grounds.
So now, hearing that Yan Xing was about to cause trouble, Ma Chao could not hold himself back at all.
He really wanted to level up.
Liu Bei exchanged looks with his two strategists. After a brief silence, he spoke carefully:
"Guanzhong has only just been stabilized. The Qiang and the Han still have old grudges. We still need Mengqi to hold things down."
"And the situation in Jing Province is still unclear. If the battle turns unfavorable, we may need to send troops out through Tong Pass to threaten Xudu and relieve Yunchang."
"As the vanguard of the three armies, who else but you is fit for this role?"
At once, Yan Xing and even Zhang Fei were thrown straight out of Ma Chao's mind.
He rubbed his hands, full of joy, wanting to say something modest, but after searching his mind, he could not find the right words.
So he used the standard general's move.
He bowed with clasped fists, declaring his willingness to give his life.
In his heart, he sighed again.
From Mr. Jian to Lord Xuande, all treated people with sincerity and made others want to follow them.
Compared to that, look at Han Sui now, with his subordinates drifting away.
And then compare him to Ma Teng…
Yeah, better not think about that one.
Pang Tong looked at Ma Chao's face growing red with excitement and chuckled softly:
"Yide is right. There really is some resemblance to Yunchang."
Kongming was instantly speechless.
Seeing that Ma Chao seemed about to pour out more loyal words to their lord, he simply pulled Pang Tong away to stroll and chat on the side.
"Cheng Gongying also sent a letter earlier,"
Kongming said.
"He followed the map and reached Qinghai, but the climate was bitterly cold and impossible to stay in. In the end, he could only go to Jincheng."
Pang Tong knew these matters well and spoke smoothly:
"Han Sui was already old and weak. This journey likely caused his old illness to flare up. That is probably the root of this trouble."
Kongming shook his head with a sigh:
"Everyone knows that the map you gave was an open scheme. But Han Wen-yue could not refuse it."
Pang Tong just smiled lightly.
For him, tailoring plans to people was nothing special.
After all, Han Sui had already made his name in Western Province before the Yellow Turbans. Holding troops for thirty years meant he would never be content to live under others.
But Ma Chao's unstoppable rise, Lord Xuande's growing momentum, and Cao Cao's long-standing covetousness of Yong-Liang all meant one thing.
There was no more room for Han Wen-yue to maneuver.
Under such circumstances, the precise map Pang Tong provided became Han Sui's final lifeline.
But now it seemed that this warlord who had dominated Yong-Liang for thirty years had finally lost to the weight of age.
After a brief moment of emotion, Pang Tong said seriously:
"If we wish to quell the unrest, we must send a top-tier general."
"One who can intimidate Liang Province when advancing, and weigh pros and cons when retreating."
"One sharp of mind, able to speak with Han Sui without falling behind, and decisive in action, able to seize the moment on the battlefield."
Kongming burst out laughing:
"If you put it that way, then there is only one general fit for the task."
The two spoke in unison:
"For a trip to Liang Province, who but Yide?"
They looked at each other, then both laughed out loud.
…
Tang Chang'an.
Li Shimin was woken from his sleep and stared at a sky that showed not the slightest hint of dawn. Regret filled his heart.
Why did I approve Zheng Aiqing's retirement and promote this Chu Suiliang to be Recorder of Daily Activities?
I must have watched the light screen too much and scrambled my brain.
From the light screen, he had gained not only later generations' knowledge, but also the names of capable officials.
There were men like Wang Xuance and Ma Zhou who rose from obscurity, and also men like Chu Suiliang who were already within reach from the start.
Back in the fourth year of Wude, he had established the Tiance Residence and set up the Literary Hall, personally selecting eighteen scholars to discuss statecraft. Yu Shinan, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and others were among them. Chu Liang, Chu Suiliang's father, had been among those in charge of literature.
After Li Shimin ascended the throne, that Literary Hall became the Hongwen Pavilion, responsible for defining texts, expanding culture, presenting codes, and clarifying institutions. It was highly valued, and in this process, Chu Suiliang gradually displayed his talent.
Originally, Li Shimin had planned to keep Chu Suiliang in the Hongwen Pavilion for a few more years to temper him.
But now the changes shown by the light screen did not wait for people.
In just two years, Li Shimin already felt that the next twenty years of Great Tang's tasks were laid out, one by one, waiting to be carried out.
Coincidentally, last month Scholar Zheng retired and returned home, leaving the position of Recorder vacant.
After brief thought, Li Shimin issued an edict appointing Chu Suiliang as Recorder, planning to keep him close and test his abilities.
As for other considerations, Li Shimin admitted he had not thought much.
After all, this office had only been established in the second year of Zhenguan, modeled after previous dynasties. For three years, the retired Scholar Zheng had known proper limits, and they had worked together quite pleasantly.
He had not expected Chu Suiliang to be completely different.
For example, right now, there was still a full hour before mao hour and dawn, yet an attendant came to wake him and report:
"Left Zhi Chu has come on duty."
Left Zhi was another title for the Recorder.
Pulled out of a dream where he was beating Byzantine white devils, Li Shimin was annoyed. He really wanted to ignore it or scold someone.
But thinking of the Recorder's duties, he suppressed his morning temper and nodded dully, signaling for him to be let in.
Chu Suiliang entered slowly, left hand holding a hard pen, right hand holding white paper. After bowing, he stood to the side and immediately started writing.
That movement made Li Shimin's eyebrow twitch.
It is not even light yet. What is there to record?
He could only comfort himself that Chu Suiliang was probably recording the time.
His sleep ruined, he could only helplessly get up to wash and dress.
As usual, attendants moved to help, and as usual, Li Shimin waved them away.
But seeing Chu Suiliang writing furiously behind him, Li Shimin quickly added:
"I am only thirty. Why would I need someone to dress me?"
Unfortunately, Chu Suiliang did not even nod.
Li Shimin felt like he was talking to the air.
So dumb.
Once the Emperor finished washing and dressing, the attendants, without needing orders, began to bring in breakfast.
Since Sun Simiao had arrived in Chang'an, Li Shimin's meals had become much lighter.
There were no fried cakes he loved, no mutton soup he often ate on campaign, and no roasted lamb for indulgence.
Instead, there was a bowl of apricot yogurt porridge, a bowl of tea porridge, a plate of jade-dew dumplings and mixed vegetable flatbread, plus a plate of grilled fish.
This was the breakfast prescribed by Physician Sun.
Li Shimin took a few bites. The warm food improved his mood.
But seeing Chu Suiliang standing there staring intently at him made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
He pointed at the table.
"Chu Aiqing, eat a bit as well?"
The response was the sound of rapid writing.
The hard pen scratched across the paper with a shasha sound, making Li Shimin's brow twitch again.
Even the attendants could tell that His Majesty's mood was no longer great.
After all, the round flatbreads that the imperial kitchen had worked hard to make were now being torn apart by His Majesty's chopsticks.
Chu Suiliang wrote even faster.
At mao hour, Li Shimin set out for early court at Liangyi Hall.
It was June. At dawn, there was still a trace of chill, and the lingering night moisture on his face made his mind even clearer.
After being emperor for several years, he increasingly understood why there was early court.
Facing the cold and the rising sun, the empire's policies became exceptionally clear in his mind. Even matters that might be discussed soon could be weighed instantly.
He even had spare thought to consider Chu Suiliang walking behind him.
Although annoyed that Chu had disturbed his sleep, thinking that the Recorder also had to rush from home made him feel a bit more understanding.
"Dengshan has worked hard,"
Li Shimin said.
The response was the familiar shasha of writing.
Li Shimin gave up.
Fine. Do whatever you want.
Judging the date, today should be a regular attendance court session, which made Li Shimin relax slightly. At least it was not a full new-moon or full-moon grand court.
According to the reforms he personally implemented after ascending the throne:
On the first and fifteenth of each month were the grand attendance sessions, with full ceremony and all officials present, solemn second only to New Year and Winter Solstice courts.
On the fifth, eleventh, twenty-first, and twenty-fifth, officials of fifth rank and above attended early court, called regular attendance.
On the ninth, nineteenth, and twenty-ninth, only third rank and above attended, called secondary attendance.
If he remembered correctly, today was the eleventh. Regular attendance. The ceremony did not need to be too elaborate.
By the time they reached the Bell and Drum Tower, the officials had already lined up by rank on both sides of the hall courtyard.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were especially eye-catching in the front rows.
Li Shimin followed the ceremonial officer's guidance and entered Liangyi Hall through the west side door.
The imperial seat was already prepared, with attendants holding the imperial fans.
As the Emperor strode up and sat, the ceremonial officer announced the opening of court, and the officials entered in order.
For just a moment, Li Shimin felt a tiny bit of envy toward the officials.
As Son of Heaven, sitting on the throne and receiving bows, even if his waist and back ached, he had to sit perfectly straight.
The officials, kneeling on cushions, could at least shift slightly into a more comfortable posture.
After the hall was fully in order, the Yulin guards entered to check credentials, and after verification was announced complete, the court session officially began.
The first matter presented today made Li Shimin frown slightly.
Someone petitioned that the court was giving too much preferential treatment to those who passed the imperial examinations when granting offices.
The argument was the same old tune.
Noble families had rendered great service to the state, and favoring exam candidates meant mistreating meritorious houses.
Li Shimin's face was calm like still water. He had heard this kind of talk since the examinations were promoted. He was long past getting angry over it.
Without even needing a look, Wei Zheng stepped forward and sharply refuted the speaker, forcing him to fall silent.
The matter was quickly settled.
Li Shimin even felt a bit of secret pleasure watching Wei Zheng scold people.
The next report was uncontroversial.
The Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, Li Gang, was gravely ill and requested to return home.
Li Shimin issued an edict ordering the Imperial Medical Office to treat him, with the Crown Prince accompanying.
In his heart, Li Shimin also wondered whether Chengqian's later behavior in the records had something to do with Li Gang's early death.
But now that Sun the Medicine King was here, surely his life could be extended a few more years.
Before Li Shimin could finish that thought, the Vice Minister of Revenue stepped forward to request permission to fully emancipate eighty thousand Han slaves held by the Turks.
This was another troublesome issue left over from the previous dynasty.
During the chaos at the end of Sui, the Turks had raided south several times, abducting many commoners.
Now that the Turks had been defeated, these abducted people saw hope and begged for release.
When Wei Zheng had previously gone north to handle surrendered Turks, he had also reported this matter. But sorting out the lists had been extremely difficult.
Only now were they finally counted.
Those abducted and still alive totaled eighty thousand.
The Ministry of Revenue spoke passionately, saying that since Tang had won great victories, it was proper to pardon them and make them Tang citizens, to display martial prestige.
Naturally, some censors stood up to oppose.
They argued that troops were now campaigning against Tuyuhun, and the outcome was still unclear. Emancipating slaves would be like taking profit from the Turks.
If they became dissatisfied and stirred trouble, it would be difficult to handle two fronts.
Li Shimin snorted inwardly.
Did the Turks really have that kind of courage?
In any case, this was probably not something he needed to personally settle.
Sure enough, Wei Zheng soon stood up again with righteous fervor.
Wei Zheng's opinion was balanced and practical.
Buying them all back might invite exorbitant demands. Granting full amnesty might stir unrest south of the desert.
Better for him to personally go and negotiate with the Turks.
The deeper logic was simple.
Proper handling of these eighty thousand Han slaves would complete the achievements of his previous policy of pacifying the southern steppe.
Li Shimin naturally agreed.
He even added extra protection, ordering Duke Yi of State, Qin Shubao, to lead a unit of the Northern Palace Guards to accompany Wei Zheng and ensure his safety.
This order caused many officials to look sideways.
Last year, many who had privately visited Duke Yi had said that funeral preparations could be made early.
Yet now, he could even lead troops north again.
Did Physician Sun truly have such heaven-defying skill?
When there was time, they would have to sincerely visit him.
After all, medicine was not just about curing illness.
For example, Duke Yi's two sons were of mediocre talent. When Qin Qiong had been gravely ill, many had already been guessing how long his residual influence would last after his death.
Now that Duke Yi had been saved by Divine Physician Sun, it looked like he could still go earn more merit.
That made quite a few people restless.
Such thoughts, however, could only be kept in their hearts.
Using the momentum of the previous debate, someone stood up and suggested that Li Jing should withdraw his troops early to avoid future trouble.
The memorial spoke at length, saying that Tang troops were operating far away, unfamiliar with the terrain, and could not eliminate the roots of the problem.
After Tang troops withdrew, there might be even fiercer raids.
Better to negotiate while Tang's prestige was still strong, give up some money, and avoid exhausting the people.
No one really believed this line of talk.
In court debates, there was usually a back-and-forth. Such arguments often only revealed their true intent after several rounds of refutation.
Li Shimin braced himself.
Strictly speaking, the campaign against Tuyuhun had been largely his own decision.
Since troops officially set out in April, there had been many objections at court.
He understood this.
After all, counting the capture of Jieli Khan, Great Tang had not even rested a full year. It could indeed be called continuous warfare.
That Li Jing could fight without worry to this point owed much to Li Shimin and several chancellors holding the line.
But now, opposition was clearly growing stronger.
Du Ruhui stood up, about to refute.
Then an unexpected interruption shattered the rhythm of the entire court.
A palace guard hurried in through the west side door, holding a piece of silk high above his head and presenting it to Li Shimin.
The officials lifted their heads in curiosity.
They watched as His Majesty's expression changed several times, before finally settling into pure joy.
"Great victory on the Qinghai route. The rebel leader Fuyun has been captured."
"Open the hall doors. Welcome the messenger."
"Beat the drums. Sing victory."