The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 842: Hou Junji and Zhang Sun Wuji's Thoughts

After hearing Changsun Wuji's "brilliant plan", Hou Junji was stunned and took a deep breath.

As a brave and capable general on the battlefield, how could he gain fame by cheating and then put the blame on others?

Hou Junji was indeed a little embarrassed, and his face turned red with humiliation.

After snorting for a while, he tentatively said, "Wan Shu is also a person who cherishes his reputation. I was embarrassed to have come to Yingzhou and snatched his military merits. Now I'm asking him to take the blame for me. Isn't that a bit too bullying?"

"Haha, Jun Ji is still a kind person."

Seeing Hou Junji's embarrassed look, Changsun Wuji slowly shook his head: "Don't think Xue Wanshu will hate you. I think that not only will he not blame you, but he will thank you instead?"

"Oh, what do you say?"

Changsun Wuji looked up at the mountains and rivers in the distance and fell into silence, as if recalling the past.

It took him a long time to come back to his senses, and he sighed and said, "After Xue Shixiong died, the Xue brothers chose Prince Yin. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, it was the emperor who was magnanimous and pitied their talents, so he forgave them and let them guard the area."

"Of course, the Emperor is also very wary of their brothers' ability to lead troops in battle."

"From then on, the Xue brothers kept a low profile, fearing that they would attract the emperor's attention. They were always worried that they would not be accepted by the emperor."

"This fake defeat gave him a chance to serve the emperor, and at the same time he could discredit himself. Without that halo, the Xue brothers, who were despised by the court, would no longer be feared by the emperor."

When Hou Junji heard these secrets, he was shocked and looked at Changsun Wuji with admiration.

When it comes to marching and fighting, a hundred Changsun Wuji tied together are nothing to Hou Junji. But when it comes to the secret game of power, a hundred Hou Junji are no match for one Changsun Wuji.

The other party not only has a unique vision, but is also deeply trusted by the emperor. He is someone who should only be befriended and not offended.

Originally, Changsun Wuji was the prince's biological uncle and a close friend of his. With the prince around, Hou Junji didn't have to worry about winning over Changsun Wuji.

But after the prince disappeared, Hou Junji took on the important responsibility and became the banner of the Eastern Palace faction in the court.

This is really too much to ask for a brave warrior.

But seeing that his daughter had become a widow just after marrying into the Eastern Palace, Hou Junji felt obliged to do so and managed to hold on with great reluctance.

Fortunately, although the prince was away, his marriage to Ashina Yun before his disappearance attracted a large number of grassland forces after the Battle of Dingxiang. With the support of Zhisishili and Ashina Simo, and the powerful forces of the three major military governorates outside the Great Wall, Hou Junji did a great job.

As the saying goes, one should do one's job well when in a position. Once you take on this responsibility, you have to worry about it.

Seeing that the relationship between Zhangsun Wuji and the Eastern Palace was gradually becoming distant, and that he was getting closer to the King of Wei, Hou Junji felt a sense of crisis.

During this Liaodong war, the two of them came together again by chance.

The moment Changsun Wuji appeared in Yingzhou, Hou Junji decisively gave up the opportunity to lead the war and instead fully catered to Changsun Wuji, determined to establish a good relationship with Changsun Wuji and bring him back into the Eastern Palace.

Seeing Changsun Wuji giving advice at this time, he understood that the other party felt his goodwill and wanted to get closer to him.

He even took the opportunity to ask, "Master Changsun, if the emperor is afraid of the Xue brothers, why did he send Xue Wanshu to Yingzhou? You should know that this is Youzhou territory, Xue Shixiong's base. Isn't this letting a tiger go back to the mountain?"

"Your Majesty is fishing"

The corners of Changsun Wuji's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, and he uttered a word lightly.

Hou Junji instantly felt his heartbeat quicken, and his back went cold, and he couldn't help swallowing.

Before Hou Junji could think about it, Zhangsun Wuji said, "However, in the past few years, the Xue brothers have performed well and have not done anything shady. The emperor has basically dispelled his suspicion of them and is ready to use them."

"At this time, if we sell them a good deal, the Xue brothers will be lured to our East Palace."

Seeing Changsun Wuji's statement again, Hou Junji was delighted and said quickly: "Lord Changsun is wise, Junji admires you. The emperor has handed over the Liaodong war to you this time. Junji will follow your lead and obey your orders in everything."

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard with a smile and nodded with satisfaction.

This time, Liaodong conquered the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which was no less an achievement than expanding territory. However, since he was a civil official, he must have a military general to implement his strategy.

At this time, he revealed so many secrets to Hou Junji, firstly to show goodwill, and secondly to deter him. He combined kindness and power, just to make Hou Junji, the chief officer in charge of military power, fully cooperate with him and achieve this unprecedented feat. In the long run, it was also to establish a good relationship, in case the emperor appointed a grandson as the crown prince?
Hou Junji is the father of the Crown Princess, the grandfather of the Crown Prince, the General of the Right Guard of the current dynasty, and the standard-bearer of the Eastern Palace faction.

In fact, the most suitable candidate for this position is Zhangsun Wuji. After the prince disappeared, Li Shimin hoped that Zhangsun Wuji could take up this responsibility. But Zhangsun Wuji is an old fox, shrewd and sincere.

Knowing that being a flag bearer means personally participating in the game, there is no way out.

If other princes succeed to the throne in the future, not only will he not be able to have a good end, but the entire Changsun family will also be implicated.

So, just like laying off officials, he pushed Hou Junji out, retreated behind the scenes, and blurred his position, but he had a good relationship with the King of Wei and the King of Jin.

By chance, the emperor sent Hou Junji to Liaodong. After successfully conquering the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Hou Junji's influence would be even greater. From another perspective, does it mean that the emperor is more inclined towards the grandson?

When he thought of this, Changsun Wuji immediately felt that he had only paid attention to his interactions with the King of Wei and had somewhat neglected the Crown Prince.

So he continued to show his goodwill: "Don't worry, Jun Ji, the emperor attaches great importance to the Three Han lands. If he was not busy, the emperor would almost come here in person."

"Such a great achievement will not only benefit the two of us, but if it is well managed, it will definitely benefit a large number of generals."

Changsun Wuji gave a subtle hint, Hou Junji was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly, understanding what Changsun Wuji meant.

Changsun Wuji wanted to use the war to win over the generals and place his own people in important positions. When he returned to the court, he had the power of the Liaodong faction behind him.

After the Battle of Dingxiang, Cheng Yaojin became a leading figure in the Yunzhong military faction and his influence in the court expanded rapidly.

And this Liaodong Campaign is his chance.

Both of them knew that after the violent clearing by the Turks, the original local aristocratic system was wiped out, leaving a huge power vacuum.

After the court takes over, it will certainly increase its investment here. Both the military and political affairs will be a brand new team. Hou Junji and Zhang Sun Wuji have the advantage of being close to the water and the moon. After some planning, this place can become the back garden of the East Palace faction.

After figuring it all out, Hou Junji and Changsun Wuji exchanged glances and both smiled knowingly.

Chang'an City!
Li Shimin was discussing the situation in Liaodong with Fang Xuanling in Chengqing Hall. Looking at the map of the Great Tang Universe in front of him, Li Shimin fixed his eyes on the northeast corner: "Xuanling, it's been more than a month. The auxiliary machine should have arrived in Yingzhou, right?"

"Your Majesty, according to the journey, Lord Changsun should have arrived ten days ago." Fang Xuanling calculated the time and said with a smile.

Li Shimin sighed, looking somewhat uneasy: "Liaodong is too far from Chang'an. It's a distance of 4,000 miles, and it takes nearly a month to go back and forth. Even with the fastest military post, it will take seven or eight days. If it rains or snows, it will take at least ten days."

"And things change rapidly on the battlefield. I wonder how much will happen in ten days?"

"If my crown prince were here, with him as regent, I could go there in person and preside over the war."

Fang Xuanling advised: "Your Majesty, don't worry. You have sent Lord Changsun to go there, and you have given him the power to act at his own discretion and to oversee military and political affairs. Lord Changsun will certainly not let the court down."

Li Shimin shook his head worriedly: "Fuji is a civil official, not familiar with military affairs. This is the first time he has taken charge of a task on his own. The situation in Liaodong is very complicated this time, involving the competition between the Turks, Goguryeo and our Tang Dynasty. I am really worried that Fuji can't hold on."

Fang Xuanling felt a little upset, but when the news about Tang Jian came, both the emperor and his minister felt that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In line with the philosophy of not telling others about big things, in order to avoid leaking the news and causing complications, Li Shimin controlled the situation to the smallest extent, hoping to make a fortune quietly and secretly swallow up this overwhelming wealth.

Through analysis, Fang Xuanling felt that Jie Li was old and no longer had the ambition he once had. He wanted to establish good relations with the Tang Dynasty so that Shiluode, who would succeed Jie Li in the era after him, could safely rule the Turkic Khanate in a peaceful environment.

This is why he showed such great goodwill to the Tang Dynasty and was willing to hand over the land of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in exchange for the Tang Dynasty's recognition and support for Shiluodie.

With this judgment, the king and his ministers made the decision to attack Goguryeo in advance.

Originally, Li Shimin wanted to go there in person, but was stopped by Fang Xuanling.

The internal reform of the Tang Dynasty is now at a critical stage. The Xueyantuo tribe in the northwest is ready to make moves again. In addition, Tang Jian has reported the undercurrents among the domestic aristocratic families and the collusion between the inside and the outside. As the emperor, Li Shimin cannot leave Chang'an easily.

Considering the chaotic situation, Hou Junji, a mere military man, was unable to shoulder such a heavy responsibility, so he decided to send an important official to take charge of the situation.

Fang Xuanling was also very envious of this achievement in expanding territory, but as the Left Prime Minister, the burden on him was heavier than that on Li Shimin. There were so many things to do with the internal reforms that Fang Xuanling could only sleep for three hours a day.

Sometimes I am too busy to handle everything and have to rest in the Hongwen Hall. How can I be absent for even a moment?
However, Li Shimin was not confident in sending someone else, so after much deliberation, he decided to let Changsun Wuji make the trip.

(End of this chapter)