Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5059 Agreement reached
Lu Dongzan smiled bitterly and took a sip of barley wine.

The other party's words were very straightforward and generous, but the key point was "contribution". You should not only make contributions now, but also in the future. Otherwise, your son can become a Tang citizen now, but he may not be deported in the future.

Looking at the seagulls soaring over the water again, I thought that even animals can migrate thousands of miles over and over again for the sake of reproduction, enduring hardships and sufferings, yet still working tirelessly and optimistically. What about humans?
As long as there is a glimmer of hope, who would be willing to die with the entire family?

If possible, he was willing to use his own life to create a chance for survival for future generations. The Gar family had suffered too much. Not only did they suffer from oppression by the Zamp and exclusion by their allies, but they also had to live on the ruins of Tuyuhun and were sandwiched between the two great powers of the time, the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. They were easily crushed to pieces and had no place to be buried.

This is the tragedy of a small country, not to mention that the Gar tribe is not even a small country?
The only chance to survive is to rely on the Tang Dynasty, become a true Tang person, enjoy wealth and peace, and reproduce.

But can Pei Xingjian’s words be trusted?
Can the Tang Dynasty be trusted?
Lu Dongzan didn’t know, but he was willing to gamble.

"Don't worry, Grand Protector. Since the Gar family has already formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty, they will not betray their alliance even if they are exterminated. No matter what happens outside, I will lead my people in Fuqi City to block the Tibetan cavalry for the Tang Dynasty, no matter what the cost."

Pei Xingjian nodded and said solemnly: "Your Majesty is very clear about the great principles. The Gar tribe is loyal to the Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty is deeply pleased. Your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty will remember the contributions made by the Gar tribe and will never let them down!"

Lu Dongzan smiled kindly and looked innocent, and said with emotion: "I have made great contributions to Tubo. Without my support, how could the Zamp unify Zhangzhung and dominate the plateau? As a result, he was suspected and exiled to the ruins of the Tuyuhun old land. The whole tribe was in a difficult situation and had a hard time surviving. Fortunately, with the funding and help from the Tang Dynasty, we were able to take root here and multiply our tribe. Everyone in the Gar tribe is willing to fight for the Tang Dynasty to repay this kindness."

Forget about "contribution". Speaking of contribution, who in the whole Tubo has made a greater contribution to the Zamp than I have?
What was the result?

I know my value to the Tang Dynasty, and I am willing to risk everything for it. I only hope that the Tang Dynasty will keep its promise and allow the Gar tribe to submit to the Tang Dynasty and become true Tang people when the birds are all gone and the rabbits are dead.

Pei Xingjian confirmed this again, then changed the subject and said in a deep voice: "I heard that Shancheng has gathered a large army, and it seems that they intend to invade the border and invade the Western Regions again. I wonder what Dalun has to say about this?"

Lu Dongzan seemed to know nothing about this: "Those people are spreading their doctrines all over the world with swords. They have long coveted the rich and mysterious East. As long as their country is stable and their military is strong, they will definitely want to conquer it. However, their country looks strong, but in fact it is a pile of loose sand. When the wind is favorable, it is indestructible, but when the wind is unfavorable, it will collapse at the touch of a button. The Grand Protector does not need to worry. It is just a matter of meeting the enemy with troops and covering the water with earth. What's more, Xue Rengui is the bravest of the three armies and has extraordinary military strategies. With him in charge of the Western Regions, the Arabs will have a hard time making any progress."

Having said that, I can't help but sigh in my heart.

Just now Pei Xingjian mentioned "national situation", which is indeed something that cannot be seen or touched, but it really exists. It seems mysterious and unpredictable, but it also has various manifestations.

The most obvious manifestation is the surge in talent and the emergence of outstanding people in large numbers.

I originally thought that this generation of Tubo had produced many heroes and contributed to the national strength, but compared with the Tang Dynasty, it was nothing.

It was thought that as the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan period gradually died, the Tang Dynasty would be in a short period of talent shortage in both civil and military affairs, giving Tubo a chance to reverse the trend and overtake. However, in just a few years, countless young talents emerged, quickly filling the gaps left by the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan period, and even surpassing them.

Pei Xingjian who was in charge of the Anxi Protectorate, Xue Rengui who was feared in the Western Regions, Su Dingfang who was rampant all over the world on the sea, not to mention Fang Jun who was already the best person in the dynasty at a young age... Within thirty to fifty years, the Tang Dynasty would not fall into difficulties due to lack of talents.

How kind Heaven has been to the Tang Dynasty!
Seeing that Lu Dongzan didn't want to reveal a word, Pei Xingjian had no choice but to give up.

Anyway, as long as Lu Dongzan stays in Fuxi City and does not threaten the safety of Hexi, it will be fine...

*****
The city of Chang'an was shrouded in a drizzle, and the heat in the entire Guanzhong area was swept away, leaving the city cool and pleasant.

Inside the Zongzheng Temple, Li Yuanjia put down his teacup, picked up an official document, took a look at it, and immediately frowned.

After thinking for a while, he said to the clerk outside the door, "Please ask Duke Liang to come over."

"Here."

The clerk left immediately.

After a while, Li Xiaoyi, wearing an official robe and a futou, walked in quickly. After bowing, he sat down on a chair beside the desk with a slightly reserved look and asked respectfully, "King Han summoned me here. What do you want me to do?"

The two men were of the same generation, Li Xiaoyi was older, but Li Yuanjia was the son of Emperor Gaozu and a direct descendant of the royal family. In addition, his uncle Li Shenfu had just committed a heinous crime with their branch, so Li Yuanjia was very respectful and low-key.

Li Yuanjia glanced at him, picked up the document on the table and handed it to him: "Is this what you signed?"

Li Xiaoyi stood up and took it, looked at it carefully, nodded and said, "Yes, it was signed by me."

Li Yuanjia first glanced outside the door, and seeing that there was no one nearby, he scolded in a low voice: "Are you confused? Chai Zhewei was stripped of his title and exiled to the vast sea for treason. This is already a special favor from His Majesty. Otherwise, his whole family would have been beheaded and their property confiscated! He wrote a memorial saying that he was seriously ill and needed to return to Chang'an for treatment and recuperation, and you dared to sign your consent? Do you really think that His Majesty is kind and will not do anything to you? Don't forget, your uncle and cousin are all guilty of capital crimes!"

The person is sick in Hanhai Protectorate and needs to return to Chang'an for treatment. What kind of bullshit excuse is this?

Hanhai is thousands of miles away from Chang'an. The journey is long and arduous, and even a healthy person would lose half his life if he made the journey. If a person is really seriously ill, he may not be able to return to Chang'an for treatment, but will die on the way!
Li Xiaoyi's face turned pale, and he said calmly, "I know that this is probably an excuse, but he is Princess Pingyang Zhao's blood after all. If he really got sick and died in the vast sea, how can we rest in peace? Back then, Third Sister treated us brothers and cousins ​​well. Besides, in terms of relationship, Your Majesty is closer to Chai Zhewei than us, and he may not be willing to let him die of illness in the vast sea."

Although Princess Pingyang Zhao was the third daughter of Emperor Gaozu, she was the eldest daughter. Her mother was Empress Taimu Dou. She was a sister of Li Jiancheng, Emperor Taizong, and Prince of Qi Li Yuanji. She was Li Chengqian's aunt. The brothers Chai Zhewei and Chai Lingwu were blood cousins ​​of Li Chengqian.

Li Yuanjia scoffed at this explanation. Let alone cousins, what can brothers do as long as treason is involved?

He knew very well that Li Xiaoyi had done this, and that he must have received benefits from the Chai family. He did not directly accuse him, but said calmly: "This matter is your fault. If anything goes wrong, you will bear the consequences!"

What he was most dissatisfied with about this matter was that Li Xiaoyi had privately signed a document to allow Chai Zhewei to return to Beijing for medical treatment. He did not even know about this until Chai Zhewei had already arrived at the inn outside the city and requested to enter the city.

Li Xiaoyi also knew that this matter touched upon Li Yuanjia's authority as the Minister of Imperial Clan Affairs, but he was reluctant to part with the money and silk offered by the Chai family, so he had to bite the bullet and said, "Don't worry, King Han. If anything happens, the Imperial Clan Affairs Bureau will not be involved!"

Li Yuanjia nodded and said, "Tell him to stay at home after entering the city and don't try to pardon his crime. If His Majesty is alarmed, no one knows what will happen!"

"Here!"

Li Xiaoyi was trembling with fear and felt a little regretful.

But after his uncle and cousins ​​got into trouble, they left behind a group of women and children. All their property was confiscated by the government. They had no means of living. How could he just sit there and do nothing when they came to him for help?
However, most of the properties under his name were jointly owned by his cousins ​​and were about to be confiscated. He did not have enough money to help at the moment. It happened that Chai Lingwu came to his house and offered a large amount of money to beg his brother to return to Beijing for treatment, so he agreed...

……

It was drizzling and the grass was green. Li Xiaoyi rode his horse in the rain to Dunhuafang. When he crossed the cross street outside the square, he could see the rippling water of Qujiang River and painted boats sailing on the water. There was a light rain curtain and a young girl from an unknown family was leaning against a red girl and a green girl. The music of stringed instruments could be heard faintly.

When he arrived at the gate, he happened to see Chai Lingwu coming in a carriage.

The carriage stopped, and Chai Lingwu saw that it was Li Xiaoyi. He was about to get off the carriage to meet him, but was stopped by Li Xiaoyi.

He rode his horse to the side of the carriage, shook off the rain on his raincoat, and said in a deep voice: "We are relatives, why should we be so polite? You can just sit in the carriage. Just now in the government office, I was scolded by His Royal Highness the King of Han for this matter about your family, and it made me suffer!"

Chai Lingwu was speechless. You were paid for doing the job, so why do you act like you are doing good deeds?
"Thank you very much for helping my brother. The Chai family will always remember your kindness and will definitely repay you generously!"

Li Xiaoyi raised the bamboo hat that was pressing down on his eyebrows and whispered, "I won't say much about other things. There is only one thing I must tell your brother to stay at home honestly, don't walk around and attract criticism, and don't try to move around to avoid guilt. Otherwise, if you anger His Majesty and get close to your brother, he will not be able to survive, and you and I will both be implicated!"

"Don't worry, my Lord. I understand!"

"I won't go to see your brother. You should have a good talk with him," Li Xiaoyi warned him, and then complained, "You don't want to live a comfortable life. Just let him fend for himself in the vast sea. Why bring him back to Chang'an to cause trouble? You have nothing better to do!"

After saying this, he turned around, rode away on his horse, and disappeared into the rain.

Chai Lingwu sighed. How could he be willing for Chai Zhewei to return to Beijing? But they were brothers from the same mother. He couldn't just remain indifferent after hearing Chai Zhewei's plea in the letter, even mentioning his parents who had passed away long ago.

I just hope that my brother will have a fearful heart and not stir up trouble again when he returns to Beijing...