When Nanzhao had just surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, they were also willing to send their children to the army, hoping that Nanzhao could play a greater role. The most important thing was to find a way out for the people below. After all, the army paid them salaries, so they would not have to stay at home.
However, when the Nanzhao army achieved success on the battlefield and the Tiance General's Mansion asked them to form a new army, the Nanzhao king dragged his feet and ignored Li Xiang's orders. This had been going on for three or four months, so Li Xiang was ready to hold him accountable in person.
"Your Highness, it's not that we haven't worked hard. The previous batch of soldiers were all from poor families. They couldn't even eat if they didn't join the army. Now these people know the dangers of the battlefield, especially after the large number of fallen soldiers were transported back a while ago. This has made them even more afraid to go to the battlefield. The royal family and I have been busy these days, spreading the word about this matter, but the effect has been very limited."
The King of Nanzhao acted as if he was in a difficult situation, as if he had really put in some effort for this matter. However, the information Li Xiang received was different. He only went out for two days a month, and spent the rest of the time indulging in pleasure in the palace. To put it bluntly, he was slacking off.
Things are different now than they were at the beginning. Originally, they thought that after forming the Nanzhao army, they might have military power in their hands. However, from the formation to the training of the army, the people of the Nanzhao Wang family had no say at all, and were even deliberately isolated. Since it had nothing to do with them, these people were not busy doing this. Why bother to make wedding dresses for others?
Li Xiang looked at his father-in-law meaningfully, and the King of Nanzhao was also very nervous. He was obviously the father-in-law and the man in front of him was the son-in-law. If it were in an ordinary person's home, he would be sitting while he was standing, and he would be listening while he was talking.
However, due to the identities of both parties, the King of Nanzhao was a little afraid of his son-in-law. You only have this one capable son-in-law, but he has many capable fathers-in-law. Moreover, without the help of your son-in-law, you may not be able to get off the throne.
If it weren't for your daughter marrying Li Xiang, you would be studying in Chang'an City now. Would you still have the chance to be the so-called king here? Although the title of the King of the Summoning King has been politically eliminated, people around him still politely said, Your Majesty, isn't this because of Li Xiang?
If you two had a falling out, I'm afraid everything would have to be done according to the rules and regulations, and the palace would have to be vacated in a few years. There wouldn't even be a king, so why would a palace still exist?
As for your dissatisfaction, there were many royal family members who surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and those people were all dissatisfied. Does our Tang Dynasty have to seek their opinions?
There's no such truth in the world. "Winners become kings and losers become bandits." Even children know this. You're the loser now, so why should you be treated like a winner? That's a little unreasonable.
"I will definitely expedite this matter and produce results in a short period of time. I will definitely not let the Tang army encounter any problems on the battlefield. I promise."
Li Xiang didn't say a word, but the King of Nanzhao couldn't stand the pressure anymore and took the initiative to show his loyalty to Li Xiang. This showed that he was sensible. If Li Xiang continued to make requests, the relationship would probably be cracked. A small crack is not terrible, but if the crack gradually gets bigger, then your life will be difficult. It will be too late to regret then, and there is no regret medicine in the world.
"That would be great. I'm heading to Vietnam this time, and I hope you can prepare 3,000 strong men for me. These men need to be ready within a few days, and they need to be kept on moving along the way. I hope to see them within five days after I arrive in Vietnam. You don't have to worry about the rest of their training. It would be best if they were people who regularly live in the mountains."
Li Xiang's tone did not contain any intention to negotiate, and there was no one else here, so there was no need to act.
If there were other people, Li Xiang would have to consider Princess Yongning's face. After all, he is the princess's biological father, and he can't do things in such a commanding tone. Now there are only two of them left, and there is no need to discuss it. Either you agree honestly and continue to be your puppet king, or you refuse directly. Then we will take it one step at a time. I just don't know if you can bear it.
He asked for three thousand young and strong men right away. You should know that the number of Nanzhao young people on the battlefields in various places has exceeded 25,000. For the entire Tang Dynasty, these 25,000 people may not be a big deal, but for Nanzhao, a small border place, these 25,000 young and strong men are not a small number. Now they want another 3,000 people, and soon it will exceed 30,000.
Just when the King of Nanzhao was hesitating, he suddenly saw the guard standing at the door with a knife. If he didn't do this, it was very likely that he would lose his life. What they needed was an obedient servant, even if you were his father-in-law.
If you can't do what they've assigned you, why should they guarantee your position? Are they just going to keep you afloat? Relations between nations have always been dirty and bloody. Don't listen to those who talk about friendship from a high pedestal; it's an insult to your intelligence.
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. We will gather them in the next few days, and I will personally oversee their screening according to the plan you established earlier. Those with problems will absolutely not be sent to the army."
In less than ten seconds, the King of Nanzhao knew how to respond to this matter. Faced with the tremendous pressure from Li Xiang, he actually had no other choice. This was the only way to keep his throne.
"Father-in-law, thank you for your hard work. The princess asked me to bring some things, and I have already sent them to the palace. Father-in-law, you can go to Chang'an when you have time. The princess may feel lonely in Chang'an."
After hearing the promise, Li Xiang smiled, and the King of Nanzhao breathed a sigh of relief. Although he felt aggrieved, he had passed this hurdle. As for the life and death of these three thousand young men, he could not care less now. It was a principle that everyone understood, that a friend should die rather than a poor Taoist.
