Chapter 55: Pingyao County Marquis
Ma Zhou stared in astonishment. Li Yuanji's words contained too much information.
Li Yuanji didn't care about Ma Zhou's reaction and continued: "Once Gao Kaidao colludes with the Turks, he will definitely lead the Turks south. By then, not only Youzhou, but also several places near Youzhou will suffer.
Li Yi will definitely be confused by the Turks and Gao Kaidao. The people of Youzhou and several places near Youzhou will also be miserable. "
Ma Zhou slowly came back to his senses and said thoughtfully, "Your Highness wants me to remind Li Yi to be on guard against Gao Kaidao?"
After hesitating for a moment, Ma Zhou continued, "Since Your Highness knows that Gao Kaidao has ulterior motives and may rebel against the Tang Dynasty, why don't you report it directly to the Saint and capture Gao Kaidao first?"
Li Yuanji looked at Ma Zhou meaningfully and said, "Because I want the five heroes of the Xue family in Li Yi's hands."
Ma Zhou’s eyes widened instantly.
Li Yuanji's words contain even more information.
Although the Xue brothers under Li Yi's command were not as powerful as those in the Tang Dynasty, they were also well-known figures in Hebei.
He has countless brave warriors under his command and is a top-notch general on the battlefield.
Li Yuanji was a legitimate prince, a person who was qualified to inherit the throne of the Tang Dynasty. If he recruited them, did that mean that Li Yuanji was determined to fight for the throne?
"Your Highness...Your Highness wants to..."
Ma Zhou spoke hesitantly.
He was a little scared.
He felt that he might have been a little hasty in agreeing to follow Li Yuanji.
In his view, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng was in a righteous position and had a good reputation, while Prince of Qin Li Shimin was famous and had a large number of followers.
Li Yuanji had nothing but a bad reputation. His chances of winning against these two were almost zero.
Li Yuanji is seeking his own death.
Li Yuanji saw through Ma Zhou's thoughts and sighed, "Don't think too much, I never thought of competing with my elder brother and second brother, I just wanted to protect myself.
My eldest brother and second brother were fighting, and I was stuck in the middle. If I didn't side with either of them, I would easily be regarded as a traitor.
If I voted for either of them, they would immediately use me as a pawn.
So I must strengthen myself so that they dare not use me as a pawn at will."
Ma Zhou half-believed and half-doubted, "But if you become stronger and no one joins you, you will be more likely to be regarded as a jackal."
Li Yuanji nodded slowly and said, "You are right. After I become stronger, if I do not join anyone, I will be more likely to be regarded as a traitor.
But after I grow stronger, even if they treat me as a pawn, they will be afraid of my strength and dare not act rashly. "
Ma Zhou frowned and said, "But this is not a long-term solution after all..."
After Li Yuanji became stronger, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin might be afraid of the power in Li Yuanji's hands and not act rashly, and might even try to win him over several times.
But once the winner is decided between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, the winner will definitely turn around to deal with Li Yuanji.
Because Li Yuanji held so much power in his hands, he would definitely be hated if he did not help at the critical moment.
If Li Yuanji holds too much power, it will also affect the winner's exclusive enjoyment of imperial power.
The winner will take care of him anyway.
Li Yuanji also thought about this problem, but he was not afraid because he was not fighting alone.
There were too many people who remained neutral between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng.
For example, Li Xiaogong and Li Xiuning.
No matter whether Li Shimin ascended to the throne in accordance with history, or Li Jiancheng fought back under his influence, the winner had to touch neutral people, that is, a group of people, not just himself.
His strength is not as good as Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng.
Even if he tried to catch up now, by the time Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin met in battle, his strength might not be able to catch up with Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng.
But if Li Xiaogong and Li Xiuning are included, their strength is not inferior to either Li Shimin or Li Jiancheng.
No matter who comes to power between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng, the consequences of purging them would be serious and the Tang Dynasty could not afford it.
Li Yuanji couldn't say these words to Ma Zhou, so he could only smile calmly and said, "Don't worry about this matter, I have my own plan in mind. Just do as I tell you, I will keep you safe and promise you wealth."
Li Yuanji had said this, so Ma Zhou could not ask any more questions. He could only bow and say, "I will follow your orders."
Li Yuanji nodded, took out the promotion documents and official seal certificate that he had prepared for Ma Zhou long ago, and handed them to Ma Zhou.
He also accompanied Ma Zhou to a sumptuous farewell banquet, sent twenty "bodyguards" to Ma Zhou, and then returned to Luoyang City drunkenly with his men.
…
The next day.
After Li Yuanji got up, Xie Shufang quietly ran to Li Ji and reported that Ma Zhou had already set off.
"knew."
Li Yuanji rubbed his temple, agreed vaguely, and ordered: "Take your men to the Luoyang City Armory, someone will give you 3,000 sets of armor, you bring those armors back."
Xie Shufang bent over and said hesitantly, "Your Highness, are you planning to equip the soldiers of Zuo San Tongjun Mansion with armor?"
Li Yuanji rolled his eyes at Xie Shufang, "Why are you asking when you already know the answer?!"
Li Yuanji was going to set up the Zuo San Tong Military Headquarters, so he must worry about its equipment.
The armor reserves of the Prince of Qi's Palace were not enough to arm the soldiers of the Left Third General's Office.
Li Yuanji could only take advantage of Li Shimin's stealing of grain to extort money from him, and also use this to give everyone a reasonable excuse to expand the army.
I am expanding my army not because I have any ill intentions, but because the thieves are too vicious and they are always coveting my things, so I want to expand my army to keep out the thieves.
This excuse is a bit lame, but it is consistent with the King of Qi's past behavior.
Xie Shufang hesitated and asked, "Isn't this a bit extravagant?"
At present, in the entire Tang Dynasty, only the six generals of the Crown Prince, the Black Armor Army of the Qin Palace, and the guards of the Qi Palace are all equipped with iron armor.
Li Yuanji also equipped the soldiers of the General Military Office with iron armor, which was obviously a bit extravagant.
Li Shimin didn't do this, nor did he dare to do so.
Once this is done, Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng will not be able to sleep.
If Li Shimin led 3,000 armored soldiers, he could travel across the world. If he led more than 20,000 armored soldiers, no one could stop him from doing anything in Chang'an City.
Li Yuanji glared at Xie Shufang and asked, "Which is more important, the armor or the lives of the soldiers?"
Xie Shufang said almost without hesitation: "Iron armor is important."
One armor is equivalent to five soldiers.
A piece of Jia can be passed down from generation to generation.
The preciousness of a set of iron armor in the Tang Dynasty far exceeded the life of an ordinary soldier.
Li Yuanji glared at Xie Shufang fiercely , "In my eyes, the lives of soldiers are more valuable than armor."
Xie Shufang wanted to speak more.
Li Yuanji stared at Xie Shufang and said seriously: "If the armor is gone, we can rebuild it, but if the person is gone, then it is really gone."
Xie Shufang opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.
He was very happy to meet a lord like Li Yuanji who valued the lives of his soldiers more than armor.
But he still felt in his heart that armor was more important than the lives of ordinary soldiers.
"When you get there, remember to keep a close eye on it, and don't let anyone fool you with some broken armor."
Li Yuanji glared at Xie Shufang and gave him instructions.
Xie Shufang bowed and said, "I understand."
Li Yuanji waved his hand, and Xie Shufang immediately left the side hall of Luoyang Palace and rushed to the Luoyang City Armory with his men.
It was not until noon that Xie Shufang escorted three thousand sets of iron armor back to the side hall of Luoyang Palace.
Also traveling with him was an acquaintance of Li Yuanji.
Liu Jun, the eunuch beside Li Yuan.
Li Yuanji was quite surprised to see Liu Jun.
While Li Yuanji instructed Xie Shufang, who was smiling happily, to send the armor to the warehouse in the side hall of Luoyang Palace for storage, he stared at Liu Jun curiously and asked, "Why did you come to Luoyang?"
Liu Jun actually smiled brightly and bowed to Li Yuanji, saying: "I am here to announce the decree as ordered."
Li Yuanji was stunned. When he was in Chang'an before, Liu Jun rarely smiled at him... He hadn't opened his mouth to ask any questions.
Liu Jun smiled and said, "Your Highness's personal attendant Xie Shufang has made great contributions in presenting the Yuanyi. We have specially issued an edict to confer Xie Shufang the title of Marquis of Pingyao County and promote him to the rank of General of the Left Cavalry of the Prince of Qi's Mansion and the Honor Guard."
Li Yuanji looked surprised.
Li Yuan was really generous. He gave Xie Shufang the title of marquis at once, and promoted him several levels, even raising his honor to the third rank.
Xie Shufang can be said to have risen rapidly in career.
From now on, I can speak with my back straight in front of him.
But...what the hell is Yuan Yi?
"I would also like to congratulate Your Highness and grant him an additional 100 households."
Liu Jun bowed to Li Yuanji again and reported the good news with a smile.
Xie Shufang is from the Prince of Qi's palace. Xie Shufang's contribution is meritorious, and Li Yuanji will also benefit from it.
This was a reward for Li Yuanji for his ability to manage his subordinates, and also a reminder to Xie Shufang not to forget who promoted him.
Liu Jun specifically reported the good news to Li Yuanji, and Li Yuanji had to reward him.
After searching his body , he found that he had nothing valuable on him.
Li Yuanji immediately ordered the guards around him to get it.
After the ten golden cakes were placed in Liu Jun's hands, Liu Jun's smile became even brighter and he talked a lot more.
"To be honest with you, Your Highness, this time Uncle Xie from your mansion presented us with the Yuanyi, which relieved the soldiers from the severe cold they had to endure in the winter. Everyone was overjoyed and showed it to the ministers during the New Year's Day banquet.
All the officials praised him highly, and everyone was so happy that they personally gave him the name Yuan Yi. "
Li Yuanji suddenly realized that after all the fuss, the Tang Dynasty version of down jacket had become Yuan Dynasty clothing.
That’s right, so far only Li Yuan can name things casually.
"In that case, Uncle Xie's gift of Yuanyi comes at a good time."
Li Yuanji sighed.
New Year's Day is the first day of the lunar year.
New Year, new atmosphere. Xie Shufang presented Li Yuan with new clothes at the right time, which must have made Li Yuan happy.
The ministers were also happy to praise this matter to make Li Yuan happy.
It is reasonable for Li Yuan to give generous rewards when he is happy.
After all, there was no title that Li Yuan dared not confer, and no position that Li Yuan dared not award.
In Li Yuan's hands, titles of kingship and dukedom were given out as if they were free.
A mere marquis is not worth mentioning.
If Li Yuanji remembers correctly, in history it was this year that after Li Shimin defeated Liu Heita, Li Yuan was so happy that he appointed more than a dozen kings in one breath.
Li Daozon is among them.
Liu Jun said cheerfully: "It's really a good time."
