hsntnovel Chapter 2261 Old Ministers Gather
Chapter 2261 Old Ministers Gather
In the early Tang Dynasty, the person who made the greatest contribution was none other than Li Jing, Duke of Weiguo.
His achievements were unmatched during this period. He was known as the best general of the Tang Dynasty and made great military achievements for the Tang Dynasty.
Even Li Shimin himself had to admit Li Jing's talent.
However, Li Jing was not Li Shimin's confidant, because Li Jing did not play any role in Li Shimin's success.
He did not participate in the struggle between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng, nor did he take part in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
But at the same time, Li Jing's ability was so strong that Li Shimin could not do without him, because Li Shimin needed Li Jing's military talents to resist the northern barbarians.
But Li Shimin was worried that Li Jing's achievements would overshadow his own, so all along, Li Shimin's attitude towards Li Jing was in a contradiction: he wanted to use him, but was also wary of him and always on guard against him.
That's why he was ranked eighth among the heroes in the Lingyan Pavilion, neither higher nor lower.
It did not exaggerate Li Jing, but instead highlighted Li Jing's achievements.
Just imagine, if Li Jing had participated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident, his ranking would probably have been moved up.
However, Li Jing's life in the past years was quite good. He was not in the court, but recuperated at home. Later, he was rehired by Li Shen.
In recent years, I have been studying military strategy at Yucai College and giving lectures from time to time. My life is very comfortable.
The most difficult thing for a person is to do what he likes.
Li Jing did not want his life's learning to go into the coffin with him. Now there is an opportunity to pass on his skills.
He was naturally very happy.
"Your Majesty, I am so humbled. I have achieved so much thanks to Your Majesty's divine power. This is how I have made such a small contribution to the Tang Dynasty.
It is a pity that I am now old and frail, and can no longer accompany Your Majesty to the battlefield.
But if Your Majesty does not abandon me, I would like to go to war for Your Majesty one last time. Even if I die on the battlefield, it would be a reward for the kindness Your Majesty has shown me over the years."
When Li Jing heard Li Shimin's praise, he stood up and saluted Li Shimin, but his movements were no longer as flexible as before.
"Alas, Pharmacist, there is no need to be like this. I know how loyal you are, but we are all old now, and this world no longer belongs to our generation.
The future of the empire will belong to the Crown Prince's generation. We will just watch quietly and give them the opportunity so they can grow up."
Looking at Li Jing, who was already 79 years old, Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh. The military god in front of him who had conquered half of the Tang Dynasty was now dying.
Just as Li Shen said, the beauty is old and the general is old, and they are both unbearable in the world of mortals.
At this age, how could Li Shimin bear to let Li Jing go to war again? Moreover, he had already learned from Li Shen that Li Jing would not live long.
I can only refuse politely.
"Your Majesty is right. In the future, the world will belong to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Our generation is already old."
Zhang Liang immediately agreed when he heard this.
"We are old, but Your Majesty is still in his prime. How can you be treated like us?" Yuchi Jingde provoked from the side.
"How dare you, a mere wretch, question what His Majesty said?" Zhang Liang immediately retorted.
“Whenever I question your Majesty’s words, you will flatter me.
I said Your Majesty is not old at all, and you still don’t agree?
Do you believe I can beat you up?" Yuchi Jingde immediately raised his eyebrows. He was not afraid of Zhang Liang. Whether in terms of personal combat power or achievements, he crushed Zhang Liang.
Yuchi Jingde's personal fighting ability is among the best in the Tang Dynasty. In terms of one-on-one combat, he has never been afraid of anyone except Qin Qiong.
"You... huh, that's unreasonable." Zhang Liang was indeed scared. He was indeed no match for Yuchi Jingde.
"Okay, so what if I'm old? I'm old, so what's there to be afraid of?" Li Shimin immediately stopped them when he saw this scene.
But compared with these three people, he is really in his prime. He is only in his early fifties, and the youngest of the three people is ten years older than him.
Yuchi Jingde and Zhang Liang were both in their sixties, and Li Jing was seventy-nine, more than twenty years older than him.
Compared to them, he is still the youngest.
"Your Majesty, the Prince of Hejian, the Prince of Jiangxia, and the Duke of Zhao have arrived."
At this time, a eunuch came in to report.
"Let them in." Li Shimin immediately gave the order when he heard someone coming.
After a while, Li Xiaogong and the other two were brought in.
"See Your Majesty."
"Okay, there are no outsiders here, so there's no need to be polite." The three of them are relatives, two cousins and one brother-in-law.
After Li Shimin gave the three people a seat, he asked curiously:
"Why are you here so early?"
According to the order, these three people should not arrive early, after all, Li Xiaogong and Li Daozon are princes.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty left the palace early today, so I guessed that Your Majesty must have come here.
That’s why I hurried here, but I didn’t expect to meet Emperor Daozong and Duke Zhao on the way.” Li Xiaogong replied.
Naturally, they are much more informed than ordinary nobles.
"So that's how it is." Li Shimin suddenly realized.
Li Shimin did not ask them why they came here, because his purpose was to lure these people to see him.
He believed that even if he didn't say it, these old guys would understand.
"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei have arrived."
"Your Majesty, Duke Lu, Duke Ju, and Duke Ying have arrived."
"Your Majesty, Duke Kui and Duke Chen have arrived."
Eunuchs kept coming in to report that the top nobles of the Tang Dynasty had arrived one after another.
Among these people were founding heroes who followed Li Shimin to conquer the world, as well as second-generation aristocrats who inherited the title.
These people also received the news that Li Shimin had left the city early, and followed him.
Li Shimin ordered everyone to come in, and the yard suddenly became lively.
Li Shimin did not pay attention to his appearance, just lying in the rocking chair, with the civil and military officials sitting on both sides.
Li Chengqian, Li Tai and Li Zhi stayed by their father's side.
They chatted with each other, and from time to time they would listen to Li Shimin bragging for a while, and get all kinds of flattery from everyone.
The two characters that were photographed the best among them were Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde, who were both die-hard fans of Li Shimin.
Not long after, more people arrived. This time, they were all important officials in the court and officials from the three provinces and six ministries.
Like Ma Zhou, Yu Zhining, Xu Jingzong, Yan Liben, Zhang Xuansu and so on.
Each of them holds an important position in the court and represents the power of their respective families.
Although everyone was chatting, everyone was waiting for His Majesty to speak.
It is definitely not a coincidence that Your Majesty left the palace today, especially after such a big event.
Sure enough, after Wang De whispered a few words, Li Shimin coughed lightly.
"cough!"
Everyone present suddenly fell silent and turned their eyes to Li Shimin.
(Happy Military Day to all soldiers)