After finishing this task, Yuchi Baolin reported on the situation on the road. Although officials from all places could not be said to be all good, they were basically qualified. This was mainly because there were constant wars in the northern part of the Tang Dynasty. These officials had no time to think about their own little tricks. Most of the time they had to serve the court's army. Some mistakes of some officials who were not very qualified were covered up at this time.
Li Xiang had conducted a systematic investigation into the officialdom during the Zhenguan period. The officials of this era were relatively honest, mainly because the Tang Dynasty had just been established. Even if they wanted to intervene, the economies of various places had not yet developed. The real corruption did not occur until the end of the Zhenguan period.
"However, Your Highness, I have discovered some other problems along the way. Among the officials in various places..."
When Yuchi Baolin said this, he suddenly saw Lord Zhao next to him and swallowed the rest of his words. Li Xiang also knew that there must be many things he couldn't say. Although Lord Zhao was a good person and loyal to the Tang Dynasty, he was not someone of Li Xiang's kin after all.
"Just take care of your own affairs. Since we've come to the northwest, I'll leave the surrounding defense to you. Originally, this was all Niu Jinda's responsibility, but Niu Jinda followed His Royal Highness into the Western Regions. I wanted to transfer Su Dingfang here, but he has to be stationed in the capital of Gaochang. There are also some unstable situations there. You should take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with it."
Li Xiang found an excuse to change the subject. Yuchi Baolin naturally had no problem speaking, and then went out to do his work. Lord Zhao had a smile on his face and didn't say a word in his heart, but he was ready to tell this matter. As an old man in the court, he certainly knew what Yuchi Baolin had discovered.
"If your highness has nothing else to do today, why don't you and I have a few drinks?"
What surprised Li Xiang was that Lord Zhao, who usually didn't drink much, actually took the initiative to propose drinking today. Although it was not time for dinner yet, Lord Zhao rarely had such leisure time, so Li Xiang naturally accompanied him.
If it were any other prince or grandson of the emperor, Lord Zhao wouldn't have made such a request, because it was obviously too much. You want to drink and you want a prince or grandson of the emperor to accompany you. What are you thinking? Do you want to lose your head?
However, Li Xiang has been in the Western Regions for quite some time, and Lord Zhao has observed during this period that Li Xiang does not have too high requirements for these complicated etiquette. As long as he is sure of you, even if you make some requests, Li Xiang will gladly agree. But if he is not sure, then the person in front of you is the noble Crown Prince, and you should not even think of raising some useless matters.
"It's rare for Your Excellency to be in such a refined mood today. I'll have someone bring in a table of wine and food."
Although the roasted lamb from the Western Regions is delicious, only newcomers like Yuchi Baolin are willing to eat it. After staying here for a long time, people still like some of our mainland cuisine. Fortunately, Li Xiang brought a chef with him. If he hadn't brought one, I don't know when I would be able to enjoy such an authentic Chang'an cuisine.
Some court ministers also said that Li Xiang was greedy for enjoyment. When he went to the Western Regions, he even took his own family cook with him. Was he going to fight?
After receiving this memorial, Li Shimin simply ignored it. If he was going to bother Li Xiang over such a minor matter, how could he possibly have the energy to deal with the major issues on the front lines? Li Shimin was currently focused on incorporating the Western Regions into his own territory. This was the most important issue at the moment, and as for such minor matters, now was not the time to discuss them.
In less than an incense stick of time, a table of food and wine was served. These people had nothing to do in the military camp every day, just waiting for Li Xiang's call. Now that Li Xiang wanted to drink, they naturally used all their skills to get a table of food and wine for Li Xiang.
"Your Excellency has never been good at drinking, but you've already had three cups in a row today. If you have anything to say, please speak directly. We've been together for quite some time. Although this is our first time meeting, I know your loyalty to the Tang Dynasty."
Without saying a word, the two of them had already drunk three cups in a row. Even though Li Xiang had a good alcohol tolerance, he felt a little drunk at this moment. Lord Zhao's face was already flushed at this moment. Usually Lord Zhao's alcohol tolerance was not high, but today he drank three cups of wine in a row. You can imagine how important what he was about to say was.
"Your Highness, do you know my origins?"
Lord Zhao did not answer Li Xiang's question, but instead raised another question. When Lord Zhao said this, a lot of information appeared in Li Xiang's mind. This Lord Zhao was not an ordinary person. He was also a descendant of a famous family. Lord Zhao came from the Zhao family of Tianshui.
When Li Xiang first came into this world, all eyes were focused on the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families, which were also the top families in the entire Tang Dynasty. But that doesn't mean there aren't some famous families in other regions. For example, Lord Zhao's Tianshui Zhao family is also very powerful in the local area.
"If I remember correctly, Lord Zhao should be from the Tianshui Zhao clan."
Li Xiang was not quite sure what Lord Zhao was talking about, so he could only say what he knew. Could it be that it involved a dispute among the famous families?
"Your Highness is right. I am indeed from Tianshui. Do you know why the general didn't tell me the rest of what he said just now?"
When Lord Zhao said this, Li Xiang understood instantly that Yuchi Baolin had not finished speaking just now, which must be related to these famous families. Otherwise, according to the relationship between the two, what else could not be said?
"Your Highness, throughout General Yuchi's journey, if I'm not mistaken, he's seen many officials who came from prominent families. Although the imperial court has established the imperial examination system, children from humble backgrounds still have no hope of rising to prominence. Most can only become minor clerks or remain in their assigned positions for their entire lives."
Lord Zhao took another sip of wine, and when he finished it, he also let out a breath. These words had been suppressed in his heart for many years, and while he was still drunk today, he should say what he needed to say.
