Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 159 Countries come to North Korea
Zhangsun Wuji was punished to guard Zhaoling Mausoleum, and the Tang Dynasty court was reshuffled.

Han Ai and Lai Ji were both demoted to governors of other provinces, and Changsun Chong was demoted to Ezhou, where he served as magistrate of a middle-level county.

Chu Suiliang submitted a letter of resignation and retirement, and Li Zhi did not try to keep him and agreed to his resignation.

Two prime ministers left the court at once. After attending the court meeting, Yu Zhining and Cui Dunli also stayed at home sick and claimed to be ill and did not attend the court.

Li Zhi promoted Liu Rengui to be the Shizhong (minister of the imperial court) and Yan Liben to be the Zhongshu Ling (minister of the imperial court).

There was no other way around this. The former Zhongshu Ling, Changsun Wuji and Lai Ji, had both been appointed or dismissed, and a new Zhongshu Ling had to be appointed to keep the Secretariat running.

Among the officials of the two provinces and six ministries, only Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Xu Yushi and Yan Liben had sufficient qualifications and were eligible to be promoted to the position of Zhongshu Ling.

Li Yifu had just been dismissed from his post and it was impossible for him to be reappointed. Xu Jingzong was not considering him either. Xu Yushi was mediocre, so Yan Liben was the most suitable candidate.

In addition, Li Zhi transferred Xin Maojiang to the Menxia Province and appointed him as the Menxia Assistant Minister, and at the same time appointed him as the third rank of the Tongzhongshu Menxia.

Although General Xin Mao was also a member of the Guanlong Group, he acted prudently and fairly. He also knew the general situation during the court meeting and did not plead for Changsun Wuji.

So Li Zhi appointed him as prime minister in order to slightly appease the Guanlong Group.

After a group of officials left the court, it was natural to replenish them with fresh blood.

Li Zhi selected many new capable officials from provincial governors and military governors from all over the country to supplement the court.

This included Ren Yaxiang, the governor of Bingzhou, who became the new Minister of the Dali Temple.

There was another person who was also transferred to Chang'an to serve as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, which caused a lot of discussion among the ministers.

This person was originally just a county magistrate in Shang County. His official rank jumped from the sixth rank to the fifth rank in one breath, and he was directly promoted to the central government.

Many people inquired about this person's background and learned that his name was Zhang Jianzhi, with the courtesy name Mengjiang, and he was from Xiangyang. He was once praised by Linghu Defeng, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, who considered him a genius.

Because Zhang Jianzhi had Linghu Defeng's endorsement, other officials were not too averse to him. After all, there was Di Renjie in front of him.

The changes in the Tang Dynasty court naturally attracted the attention of the vassal states, especially the rebellious Jimizhou.

It is now mid-December, and all vassal states and controlled prefectures have already sent delegations of envoys to the Tang Dynasty to pay homage.

This year is different from last year. Helu was destroyed, and the Tang Dynasty was powerful in the Western Regions. Coupled with the threat from the Arab Empire, all the small countries in the Western Regions that were vassal states of the Tang Dynasty came to the Tang Dynasty to strengthen relations and obtain shelter.

Even countries like Tocharistan, which were not subject to the Tang Dynasty, came to the Tang Dynasty.

The Arab Empire has been gathering troops on the eastern front of Persia, ready to invade the east.

These small countries all hoped to become vassal states of the Tang Dynasty to avoid being attacked by the Arab Empire.

After Tubo's attack on Tuyuhun failed, it began to turn around and set its sights on India, Liuzhao and other countries, hoping to strengthen its strength as soon as possible to deal with the threats from the Tang Dynasty and the Arab Empire.

Therefore, the Six Kingdoms in the West, such as Tianzhu and Pyu, also came to the Tang Dynasty to pay homage and hope to obtain protection because they felt threatened.

Peace is always precious and war is always lurking around the corner.

Although the Tang Dynasty's borders were currently stable, the Arab Empire and Tubo were both expanding. Small and weak nations would face the threat of war.

Of course, some people fear war, while others like it.

Bi Li Du is such a person.

It's not that he is born bloodthirsty, but because he has been dealing with death all the time since he was a child.

Every winter, there would always be members of the tribe who would starve to death or freeze to death. In the spring when the grass and water were lush, other tribes would come to rob their prey.

He grew up in death and blood.

The tribe was invaded by other tribes, and the ethnic group was bullied by powerful ethnic groups such as the Turks and the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, he is not afraid of death or war, but yearns for strength and pursues power.

During this Uighur delegation, he followed Runpo to Chang'an.

This was also his first time in Chang'an.

Seeing such a prosperous city, the dazzling array of goods on the streets, and the Tang Dynasty women wearing face clothes on the streets, his eyes flashed with eagerness.

He longed to lead his army, storm into Chang'an City, and plunder everything.

As he was looking at the bustling streets, Runpo glanced at him sideways and said with a smile, "How is it? Chang'an City is not bad, right?"

"It's really good." Bi Li Du licked his lips and commented sincerely.

Runpo opened her arms and smiled, "Here, as long as you have money, you can get anything, including beautiful Tang Dynasty women. Tonight I will take you to Pingkangfang and let you enjoy the taste of Tang Dynasty women."

Bi Li Du laughed and said, "Uncle, nephew is not anxious, let's focus on the important matters."

Runpo nodded and said, "Okay, let's go to the Honglu Temple and then visit Xue Rengui."

Xue Rengui has been appointed by Li Zhi as the Protector General of Yanran Protectorate.

This made Bilidu very alert.

Xue Rengui's reputation had spread across the grassland. For the Tiele tribe, who were planning to rebel, he was an obstacle that had to be overcome.

That's why Bi Li Du decided to come to Chang'an to see Xue Rengui with his own eyes and see if he was as brave as the rumors said.

The envoy team headed eastward along Jinguanmen Street and soon arrived outside Zhuque Gate.

After passing through the Vermillion Bird Gate, the first government office on the left is the Honglu Temple Office.

Runpo entered the hall of the Honglu Temple and reported to the officials of the Honglu Temple, while Bilidu stood in the courtyard with his arms folded, waiting.

Not long after, Runpo walked out of the hall, accompanied by a woman whose attire was clearly different from that of a Tang woman, but whose appearance was extremely beautiful. Bilidu stared at her from head to toe.

The woman noticed his gaze, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Deputy Protector Run, is that rude man your son?"

Runpo hurriedly said, "Please forgive me, Deputy Commander Li. He is my nephew. This is his first time in Chang'an and he doesn't know much about etiquette." She glared at Bili Du.

Bi Li Du smiled slightly and then looked away.

The woman snorted and said as she passed by Bi Li Du, "If this weren't Chang'an, I would have dug out your extra eyes."

Bi Li Du smiled and said, "If you want it, I can dig it up and give it to you."

The woman glanced at him sideways and walked away quickly.

"Uncle, who is that woman?" Bi Lidu looked at the woman's back and asked Runpo.

Runpo said in a deep voice: "She is the deputy governor of Songzhou Governor's Office and the queen of the Dongnu Tribe, Li Bin. This woman is not simple, don't mess with her."

Bilidu asked, "Where is the Dongnu tribe?"

Runpo said, "It's west of the Jiannan Road in the Tang Dynasty, sandwiched between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo."

Bi Li Du nodded and did not continue the topic.

"Uncle, go meet Xue Rengui."

Runpo reminded her, "You have to remember, this is Chang'an, not Tianshan. When you meet Xue Rengui later, pay attention to etiquette and don't cause trouble for me."

Bi Li Du smiled and said, "Don't worry, uncle. I will be very careful in front of the Tang people."

Runpo selected four followers, prepared a generous gift, and then took Bili Du to Xue Rengui's mansion.

After entering Pingkangfang, they asked around and soon found Xue's mansion.

Runpo and Xue Rengui had met during the campaign against the Turks and were quite familiar with each other. After introducing their names, the servant of Xue's mansion went in to announce the news and brought the uncle and nephew into the mansion.

As soon as he entered the hall, Bi Li Du was stunned for a moment, then he showed a meaningful smile.

It turned out that Li Bin was also in Xue's mansion.

Runpo laughed and bowed to the Queen.

"Deputy Commander Li, we meet again."

Li Bin nodded and returned the greeting, his brows slightly furrowed, obviously not wanting to meet the uncle and nephew.

This time, Bi Lidu didn't look at Queen Binjiu for long. Instead, his gaze shifted and stopped at the man sitting at the upper seat in the room.

Among ordinary people, Xue Rengui is a burly type, but compared with his reputation, his body is very ordinary and not as strong as Li Du.

However, when Bi Li Du and Xue Rengui's eyes met, they immediately felt a strong pressure.

It was as if there was an invisible mountain in front of me.

This is the murderous aura that can only be honed through countless battles. Li Du also has it, but it is not as fierce as the other's.

He quickly looked away and lowered his head.

Xue Rengui had already sensed the person before him was not simple, and asked Run Po: "General Run, is this your son?"

Runpo smiled and said, "This is my nephew, Bilidu." Turning to Bilidu, she said, "Bili, don't you admire General Xue the most? Now that we've met, why don't you quickly pay your respects?"

Bi Lidu bowed to Xue Rengui and said with a smile, "I greet General Xue."

Xue Rengui nodded, extended his hand to invite the two to sit down, and ordered someone to serve tea.

Xue Rengui was not familiar with Runpo, so after a few polite words, he turned to talk to Queen Binjiu and asked about the situation in Tubo.

Li Bin said, "Since the beginning of this year, the Tubo have built forts and passes in more than ten dangerous places in the southeast. This is obviously to prevent the Tang Dynasty and the Qiang people like us from sending troops to attack them."

Xue Rengui asked, "According to Commander Li, should we attack Tubo immediately?"

Bilidu suddenly said, "As long as the Tang Dynasty attacks Tubo, my Huihe people will definitely help, right, uncle?"

Runpo was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Of course."

Li Bin glanced at Bi Li Du and said, "Deputy Protector Runpo, is your nephew also so ignorant of etiquette in the Pingyang County Duke's Mansion?"

Runpo hurriedly scolded Bilidu, "You have no right to speak here. Behave yourself, or I'll send you back to Tianshan."

Bi Lidu lowered his head to hide the cold light flashing in his eyes, and said with a cupped hand: "I apologize for my rudeness. Governor Li and General Xue, please forgive me."

Li Bin snorted, ignored him, and turned to look at Xue Rengui.

"General Xue, while Tibet is on the defensive against us, it is also gathering its forces to attack Liuzhao and Tianzhu. I think we should wait and see what happens. Once Tibet takes action in the south, we can then send our troops."

Xue Rengui nodded and said, "What Commander Li said makes a lot of sense. I will definitely tell the Saint."

At this time, a servant entered the hall and said, "General, the Prince of Wu's palace has sent an invitation, inviting you to attend a banquet tonight."

Xue Rengui said, "I understand."

Li Bin saw this and stood up and said, "General Xue, I'll take my leave now. I won't delay your banquet."

Xue Rengui bowed and said, "Take care."

When Runpo's uncle and nephew saw Queen Bin leave, they also said goodbye and left.

(End of this chapter)