Chapter 383: Suppressing the Xi and Khitan

Su Dingfang went to Goguryeo again. The war between Tubo and Tuyuhun was still brewing. Although the two sides were on the verge of a fight, there was no friction. After

all, the three armies of the Tang Dynasty were not vegetarians. Xi Junmai's troops were stationed in Tuyuhun Wangcheng, and Wang Fangyi's new army was stationed in Dafeichuan.

And next to them was the Heyuan Army led by Hei Chi Changzhi, who was eyeing them covetously.

Any one of them should not be underestimated, let alone three armies. Tubo was worried that the fight would not end well, and now was not the time to completely break off relations with the Tang Dynasty.

At this time, Li Chengqian took time to go to Bingzhou, inspected the local people's conditions, and then went to Luoyang City and lived in the royal garden in Luoyang City - Shendu Garden.

In April, Li Chengqian ordered people to build Hebi Palace at the westernmost part of Shendu Garden, and it was completed in one month.

"Your Majesty! A secret report came from the Dongyi Protectorate!" An eunuch saluted Li Chengqian and handed him a secret report.

"Damn it!" Li Chengqian was furious after reading it, and threw the secret report on the ground. He had just moved into Hebi Palace and had no time to be happy, but he saw something that made him angry.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Who made Your Majesty angry? What happened inside?" Li Xiang, Li Jue, Li Sujie, and the two little princes who came to Hebi Palace to pay their respects to Li Chengqian were also shocked when they heard Li Chengqian's anger.

This time, Li Chengqian ran out and handed over the government affairs to Li Ke, Zhangsun Wuji and others, and he took his five sons to wander around.

"I don't know!" said the eunuch guarding outside. How could he, a small eunuch, know so much.

"Did anything just get sent in?" Li Jue asked.

"Your Highness! Just now, the Dongyi Protectorate sent a secret report. Before that, Mobei also sent a secret report." The eunuch said that although he didn't know the specific content inside, he knew where it came from.

"Please go in and report that the five of us brothers have come to pay our respects to His Majesty." Li Xiang said.

"Your Highnesses, please wait here for a moment. I will go in and report now!" The eunuch said, and turned to go inside.

After waiting for a while, the eunuch came out and saluted, "Your Highnesses! Your Majesty, please let your Highness in."

Li Xiang and his five men entered the palace and saluted when they saw Li Chengqian, saying, "Your sons pay their respects to your father."

"Your Highnesses! Please sit down!" Li Chengqian said.

"Thank you, father!" Li Xiang and the others thanked him and sat down.

"Hui'er, Wu'er! Come to your father." Li Chengqian stretched out his hand and waved to the two younger sons. The two little guys ran over. Li Chengqian held one in each hand and put them on his lap.

The fourth son, Li Hui, was born in the sixth year of Yonghui. His mother was a talented woman.

The youngest son, Li Wu, was born in the seventh year of Yonghui. His mother was Zhao Xun.

"Father! I just heard you were furious outside. I don't know who angered you." Li Jue asked.

"Yes! I was scared to death!" Li Hui assisted.

"Don't be afraid, Hui'er! Father is here!" Li Chengqian said with a smile, looking up at Li Jue and said, "What are you going to do?"

"If anyone dares to insult you, I will not forgive him. Even if I die, I will never allow anyone to insult you." Li Jue said righteously.

"I am satisfied that you have this intention! It is just a matter of the court." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Father! Are the barbarians rebelling?" Li Xiang asked. In the past few years, he had heard the most about the rebellion of various tribes. Combined with what the eunuchs just said outside, he could guess what it was.

"Right! Today I received two secret reports in succession. There are rebellions by the Xi people and Khitan in the east, and rebellions by the Bayegu, Pugu, Tongluo and other tribes in the northwest. Even the Sijie tribe, which was just quelled, has joined the rebellion. How can I not be angry about this?" Li Chengqian said.

Li Xiang and Li Jue didn't know what to say for a while. Li Sujie, who was standing aside, looked at them quietly. He knew that Li Xiang and Li Jue had been discussing secretly.

"I plan to send troops to suppress these rebels, but I don't know who to use. Today you are here, and I want to hear your suggestions." Li Chengqian said.

"Father! I think that the governor of Dingxiang, Ashide Shubin, and the general of Zuo Wuhou, Yantuoti, can really lead their troops to attack the Xi people." Li Xiang recommended the two to Li Chengqian.

These two were foreign generals of the Tang Dynasty. They were close to Li Xiang and were from Li Xiang's faction. Li Xiang would naturally recommend them to quell the rebellion. If they could win, it would be more beneficial for him to compete for the throne in the future.

"Father, I think the governor of Yanzhou, Li Hezhu, is suitable. With him leading the troops, we will definitely be able to quell the chaos of the Xi people and the Khitan." Li Jue also stood up and recommended a powerful general to Li Chengqian. His idea was the same as Li Xiang's. These two were from his faction.

"There are so many talents in our Tang Dynasty, and there are many generals who are good at fighting. Why do we have to use these foreign generals?" Li Chengqian asked.

"Your Majesty! Now our Great Tang has to deal with Baekje and Goguryeo at the same time, as well as the invasion of Tuyuhun by Tubo, and a number of troops have been mobilized."

"These troops consume a large amount of food and fodder every day. If we recruit troops from within the Great Tang, the treasury will be burdened too heavily, which will easily shake the foundation of the empire."

"If we use foreign generals to lead their own troops, it will consume the foreign generals' strength, and the national treasury will not have to bear too much pressure."

"The most important point is that we can use the barbarians to weaken the barbarians, so we can take the opportunity to quell the rebellion and weaken the strength of the barbarians. This is a win-win situation, so why not do it!" Li Xiang explained.

"Xiang'er is right. In that case, let's use foreign generals! I originally planned to let Pei Xingjian, Long Zhi and others lead the troops to the battle. After what you said, Xiang'er, I agree with you. Sending foreign generals to lead the troops to quell the rebellion is called using foreigners to control foreigners." Li Chengqian said with a

smile. Li Xiang was overjoyed to hear this. Li Jue didn't say anything. No matter how much preparation was done, in the end it still depends on who recommends the reliable person.

Thinking of this, Li Jue strongly recommended his people to Li Chengqian, and Li Xiang on the side naturally did not want to be

outdone. The two of them confronted each other, and neither of them could say anything.

"Okay, I will make my own decision on who should be used and who should not be used. It's not decent for you two brothers to quarrel like this!" Li Chengqian pretended to be angry.

"I know I was wrong! Please calm down, father!" Li Xiang and Li Jue hurriedly admitted their mistakes. They could argue with each other and refuse to give in, but they dared not act recklessly in front of Li Chengqian.

"Send an imperial edict to order the governor of Dingxiang, Ashide Shubin, the general of Zuo Wuhou, Yantuo Tizhen, and the governor of Juyanzhou

, Li Hezhu, to be the military commanders of Lengli Road." "Order them to lead their troops to suppress the rebellious Xi, and order the right chancellor Cui Yuqing to be the governor of the three armies. In addition to suppressing the Xi, they should also suppress the Khitan." Li Chengqian said.