"I can see from your face that you definitely don't want to be in an idle position. At such a young age, facing these dignitaries in Chang'an City, your ideas will soon be worn out."
After hearing what Li Xiang said, Chang Sunze knew that he would definitely be able to go to the battlefield in the Western Regions. However, if that were the case, he was afraid that his elder brother would be in danger. The Imperial City Office was responsible for gathering intelligence and was one of the top three offices in the Tang Dynasty. Chang Sunchong had already worked there for two years. If he was really allowed to go to the Western Regions, his elder brother...
"Your Highness, I would like to ask you one more question. Will there be any changes on my brother's side?"
After hearing what Changsun Ze said, Li Xiang knew that this guy had a conscience. Back then in Nanzhao Kingdom, that incident was clearly caused by Changsun Chong and had nothing to do with this guy. Later, he made trouble in Chang'an City, and Changsun Wuji used Li Xiang's relationship to send him to Nanzhao Kingdom.
Who knew that after a period of training, this kid showed talent even stronger than his brother, so Li Xiang also began to train him. It was because of this relationship that Li Shimin saw the potential of the two brothers and could not let the two brothers be together. This was also the established policy of the Tang Dynasty court. No matter who you are from, if you two brothers have too much power together, you may end up splitting the country.
Just look at Brother Cheng Chumo and you will know. Although the two brothers are in the Western Regions, people like Li Chengyi and Xiao Shougui are not there to eat for nothing. Especially the most powerful artillery unit has always been in the hands of Li Chengyi because this guy is a member of the royal family. Although Cheng Yaojin is also someone Li Shimin can trust, compared with Li Chengyi, Li Shimin obviously still trusts this member of the royal family.
Not letting any of Cheng Yaojin's sons come back was the greatest consideration for their family. If Li Xiang's wife was not Cheng Luan, such a situation would probably not have happened. Therefore, the two brothers knew very well that they must not make any mistakes. Once they made a mistake, one of them might be transferred back at any time.
"I can't do anything about your eldest brother's affairs. You also grew up in Chang'an City. There are many things you may understand better than me. The court is about balance. If you two brothers are both in important positions, it will hinder the development of others. Moreover, your father is still the Prime Minister. My grandfather will also have other considerations. These matters are beyond our control right now. It's impossible for us to even say a word."
What Li Xiang said was true, and Chang Sunze nodded helplessly. He felt a little aggrieved. We were all serving the court, so why didn't they trust us? We were the first foreign relative family of the entire Tang court, truly tied to the court.
Li Shimin also understood this truth. Zhangsun Wuji had participated in all the major events in the past, and Li Shimin also trusted his brother-in-law very much. But then again, no matter how much he trusted his brother-in-law, he was still a relative by marriage after all, and there was a difference between him and the real royal family.
Although Chang Sun Ze was leading troops outside, he did not have much prestige in the army. The army was different from other places. If you had no military merits, no matter where you came from, you would not be able to win people's hearts in the army, and no one would really work for you.
But if you have both family background and ability, as well as impressive military achievements, then things will be different. Take the current Changsun Ze for example, he is the most powerful among the second generation. Just as Li Xiang said, after fighting another battle in Xinyue and returning to the court, he will be able to be on par with Su Dingfang.
Changsun Ze felt a little uncomfortable, but didn't say much. He understood that this was all arranged by the court. If it were Li Shimin's position, Changsun Chong might have been transferred away long ago. Changsun Ze also wanted to sacrifice his own future and let his brother continue in this position. He also wrote a letter to his family to communicate, but Changsun Wuji did not agree.
Changsun Wuji had his own considerations. Now Changsun Wuji was old. Although he was still the chief minister, it might not be the same in two years. Li Shimin was no longer very concerned about the affairs of the court. Most of the things were handed over to Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian also had his own team and it was impossible for him to continue to let Changsun Wuji take charge of this.
Therefore, Changsun Wuji had to find a way out for the Changsun family. While he could retire now, he must not be obsessed with power. If he was disliked by the people above him, he would probably not be able to escape unscathed, even if he was the emperor's brother-in-law.
Compared with his two sons, Chang Sun Chong has been back from the front line for quite some time. If he is sent to the battlefield again to gain military merit, he may not be able to come back for a long time. If he makes a mistake, the good reputation he has accumulated before will be lost. It is better to transfer him directly to a civil servant.
As for this kid Chang Sunze, he had made a name for himself on the battlefield. As long as he could fight another battle in the New Western Regions and make some achievements in the war against the Arab Empire, he would have his own general's mansion after returning to the capital.
The Changsun family is both civil and military. Although the civil officials are a little weaker, this is what the emperor wants to see. Coupled with the son born by Changsun Yunyi, the entire Changsun family can be said to have no regrets. So when Changsun Ze mentioned this, Changsun Wuji refused without hesitation.
Now, letting Chang Sun Chong return to the battlefield would be like giving a reserve player a chance while letting the main force watch from below. How could this be possible? As the head of a large family, he could never allow such a thing to happen. If he allowed such a thing to happen, it would represent his dereliction of duty.
So in this situation, the only option is to let Chang Sun Ze continue to go to the Western Regions, and follow Li Xiang. No matter what they become, based on his great kindness to Li Xiang, he believes that Li Xiang will be able to bring Chang Sun Ze back safely.
Of course, the one who felt guilty was his eldest son. Although he hadn't been up to par in his early years, he had done quite well in recent years. Unfortunately, just when he was about to make great efforts, the imperial court issued an order. He had to hand in his duties at the Imperial City Office and temporarily go to the Western Camp to train new soldiers...
