The people in Chang'an City never imagined that Cheng Yaojin could return to the battlefield so easily. This made some old generals eager to try. Who doesn't miss that exciting battlefield?
What's more, the Tang Dynasty is now strong. Even if it goes out to fight, it cannot be said that it is fighting with its life on the line. Almost everyone understands that the wars of the Tang Dynasty are now called wars of aggression. The small countries around us are not our opponents at all. We have the most advanced weapons. Those small countries have no courage to resist except to surrender.
Take the current Nanzhao Kingdom for example. Although the King of Zhennan was executed, many of his subordinates still have power. But what choices did these people make? If they really had blood, they should choose to fight the Tang Dynasty to the end, rather than choose to surrender now.
The people in Chang'an City also have analytical ability. After their analysis, it is not to say that people outside are without blood, but having blood also requires having brains. Since they know that this is a failure, why should they risk their own lives and those of their families?
Zhang Jiuli brought the latest news from the Nanzhao Kingdom. This guy also followed Li Xiang back to the capital. This time when going to Fuso, Li Xiang also planned to keep this guy by his side. He is indeed a very competent think tank. If he were to be left in Nanzhao, it would be a bit unrealistic.
Moreover, after Qian Ping left, Zhang Jiuli was able to take over in many areas, and even did many things better than Qian Ping.
Zhang Jiuli never dreamed that he would have the opportunity to come to the Eastern Palace. You know, according to his previous crimes, even if he was not crushed to dust, he would never be able to enter the capital again. Although he is now a criminal and has words tattooed on his face, fortunately, His Highness has agreed. This time, two family members were released. Next time, after the Fuso battle is over, two more family members will be able to return home from the border.
When Zhang Jiuli saw his relatives in Chang'an City, he felt very sad. He thought he could enjoy wealth and glory in Sichuan, but who knew that Li Xiang would knock him off the cliff in an instant.
He originally thought that there was no hope in this life, but who knew that Li Xiang opened another door for him, allowing him to serve under His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the benefits could be seen immediately.
At this moment, he was kneeling obediently in front of Li Xiang, recalling what he had seen and heard along the way.
"The document is very detailed. I've chosen the right person to investigate this matter in Nanzhao. Since there's nothing serious happening in Nanzhao, I'll give you a few days' leave. The box next to you contains money. Let your family settle down in Chang'an. As I said before, you can escape the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment for living. Once they're settled, you can send them to work on the farm outside the city."
When the Nanzhao mutiny entered its final days, Li Xiang asked Zhang Jiuli to go deep into every corner of Nanzhao and conduct a systematic investigation of the entire society. If the people really had complaints, Li Xiang would consider taking some other actions.
According to Zhang Jiuli's investigation, the people of Nanzhao did have some aversion to the Tang Dynasty, but it was not that serious, especially those around the royal city. They even had a kind of love for the Tang army. After all, it was the Tang army that brought them peace. Otherwise, with the war between the king and the King of Zhennan, all of them might be involved. At that time, let alone eating, it would be unknown whether they could survive.
"Thank you, Your Highness..."
Zhang Jiuli no longer asked for so much. He had already heard from his family about the bitter cold at the border. If he didn't work hard quickly, the rest of the people at the border would continue to live a hard life.
"My family has already made arrangements and went to the farm outside the city this morning. I have nothing else to do when I return. If it is convenient for Your Highness, I would like to stay in the servants' quarters of the Eastern Palace during the summer vacation."
Living in the outermost layer of the Eastern Palace are some external stewards. These people are not eunuchs, but they cannot enter the Eastern Palace at will without being summoned by someone inside.
Zhang Jiuli's meaning was very clear. Going home would be a waste of time, so it would be better to take up the post early. If something was done well, His Highness would be happy enough to send another family member back, and our plan would be complete. Of course, even if he didn't send them back, we would feel at ease staying here.
When Zhang Jiuli was in charge of Sichuan, he offended many enemies. He disappeared before and many people couldn't find him. Now he frequently appears in the East Palace. The news may have spread. If someone targets him, then the day he leaves the East Palace will be the most dangerous day.
"I hadn't thought of this. Even if the security in the capital is good, there will be many people targeting you. You might as well just stay outside the East Palace. I'll arrange for someone to protect you."
Li Xiang would never be stingy with such a person who pleased him, but those who should be punished must be punished. Even if you want to offset your merits and demerits, your merits must be more than three times greater.
Xiao Xiazi took Zhang Jiuli down. Xiao Xiazi also knew what Zhang Jiuli did at the beginning. He used to be a high-ranking official in the court, and now he has become the staff of our prince. It can't be said that this is a promotion or a demotion.
If it can be said that he was promoted, he used to be a proper court official, but now even if he came to the Eastern Palace, he is still a slave.
But if it is to be said that he has declined, then before he could not see any high-ranking officials of the court, let alone people of Li Xiang's level. Even some officials close to the core could not see him. But now he can follow Li Xiang every day, and some of his words can influence the policies and major policies of the Tang Dynasty. This should be considered an improvement.
Xiao Xiazi also knows how to judge people by their appearance. When the prince was talking to this guy just now, his face was very gentle. If you treat this person as useless, you will probably suffer in the future. So Xiao Xiazi arranged a separate room for him, separate from the other servants.
"Thank you, Chief Steward Xia. This is a gift from His Highness, so please don't despise it."
How could Zhang Jiuli not see it when he saw this room? Everyone else had two or three people in a room, and none of them faced the sun, but he had his own room, and the sun could still shine in. It was much brighter and more spacious than the other rooms. If it weren't for this Xia, the chief steward, helping him, a man with a criminal record...
