"The new son-in-law is here to welcome the bride!"

"I heard that he is the marquis of the Tang Dynasty. He is so handsome."

"Miss has found a good home"

As soon as Li Mu arrived at the door of Zhangjiaji, many people gathered around him. Li Mu didn't know anyone and dared not offend him. Who knew if this old lady was Zhang Tianai's aunt? If that sentence was wrong, he would have to be beaten tonight.

"Son-in-law, you are here. Hurry up, let's go into the house and talk."

Zhang Xun diligently helped Li Mu off his horse and said to the onlookers: "Listen to me, today my son-in-law came to propose marriage, and there was a flowing table to entertain everyone. Eat and drink well, and don't go home until you get drunk."

Everyone shouted, all very happy. There was also the girl in the family who was not married. Seeing Li Chongyi's tall and big man, his eyes were filled with satisfaction, he wanted to stuff his girl into his bed. He was used to living in the northwest and advocated heroes. Li Chongyi's image was undoubtedly a big hero.

Li Mu threw Li Chongyi a look of self-seeking blessings and followed Zhang Xun into the house.

Zhang Xun seemed very happy today. First, Li Mu came to propose marriage and his daughter had a home. Second, since Li Mu came, it means that his promise will be fulfilled. After so many years of planning, he finally had a result. How could he be unhappy?

The house had a banquet ready, and Zhang Xun pulled Li Mu down enthusiastically and said, "Son-in-law, I know you are coming. I asked Tianai what you like to eat early, and I specially prepared it for you."

"Father-in-law," Li Mu interrupted Zhang Xun and said, "No need to be polite, let's talk about the serious matter first. Father-in-law, King Gaochang's affairs may have some changes."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Xun's expression suddenly became cold. He stared into Li Mu's eyes and said, "Do you kid want to go back on your word?"

"No, I don't want to go back on my word." Li Mu took a deep breath and said, "It's just a little different from what my father-in-law thinks. This is also the most appropriate way that I can think of in the past few days that all parties can accept. Otherwise, even if I promised my father-in-law to assist my father-in-law as King Gaochang, my father-in-law would not be able to sit steadily on the throne."

Zhang Xun snorted: "I said, don't ask for peace!"

"But I want my father-in-law to be safe." Li Mu looked down and lowered his voice, saying, "I also want to leave myself a way out for a retreat in the future."

"Hmm?" Zhang Xun looked at Li Mu and frowned, as if he was telling whether Li Mu's words were true or false.

Li Mu's words are naturally false. Even if he leaves a way out for himself, he will go south or lean against the sea. One day, the retreat that he can escape will not be in this hinterland on land, but he must say this, because only in this way can Zhang Xun believe him, and Zhang Xun will definitely believe him. For a conspirator, if he is to judge others by himself, he will feel that if he is Li Mu, he will definitely leave a way out.

"Let's talk about it first."

"Father-in-law, you have guessed that the Tang Dynasty will follow the Han Dynasty and manage the Silk Road. The Tang Dynasty does not have this strength yet, and the reason is obvious. After several battles, the Tang Dynasty has not yet recovered. Moreover, there are Western Turks, Tuyuhun, and Xueyantuo in the north. They are all near the Silk Road. The Tang Dynasty has not yet had the strength to surrender."

"So, in the next ten years, or even twenty years, when the Tang Dynasty deals with these countries, it will have to use non-war means. When countries give up the means of resolving disputes in war, many things need to be discussed, which is like doing business. Father-in-law, what do you think is the most important condition for doing business?"

"Money?" Zhang Xun guessed randomly and smiled bitterly: "I really don't understand when it comes to doing business, so I'm not as good as you."

"My father-in-law is wrong. The most important thing in doing business is not money. It is equality. You and I can talk together so that we can do a long-term business. Otherwise, it will be a one-time transaction and will never last."

Zhang Xun frowned and said, "But the country has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, a country as large as the Tang Dynasty and the Western Turks, how could they be equal to a small country like Kucha Yanqi?"

"This is what I want my father-in-law to do." Li Mu said seriously: "A small country may be insignificant. But what if my father-in-law linked all the small countries on the Silk Road?" As he said that, Li Mu picked up a chopstick, broke it gently, and broke it. He took a few pairs of them and signaled to Zhang Xun to show him: "Father-in-law, break a chopstick at will, but a chopstick is not that easy. Does my father-in-law understand this principle?"

"Even if your Majesty is dissatisfied with his father-in-law in the future, when he wants to touch you, he will consider how all countries in all directions will be viewed by the Tang Dynasty? Those who are in high positions will plan the overall situation and will never lose their big mistakes. The closer the father-in-law connects the small countries on this road, the more stable you will be. Can the son-in-law understand this? "

Zhang Xun was silent and did not respond. After a while, he laughed and said, "The son-in-law is really an important minister of the Tang Dynasty."

"Oh?" Li Mu pretended to be confused and said in a daze: "The son-in-law is always considering his father-in-law, why did he get involved in the loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty? Isn't that a coincidence?"

"You are smart, don't treat others as fools." Zhang Xun said unhappily: "You know that I have been deeply engaged in the Western Regions for many years and have eyes everywhere in the Western Regions. You clearly want to use me to help the Tang Dynasty open up the road to trade in the Western Regions. Calculation is calculation, so why are you pretending?"

Seeing that he had been seen through, Li Mu stopped pretending and said, "My father-in-law's words were a bit heartbreaking. You said I was planning you, okay, I admit that this is true, but who is my planning for? Isn't it also for you to be able to take the throne? If you were not my father-in-law, I should betray the truth and lead the army directly to attack, kill all the young and old in Zhangjiazhai to silence me. I think, no matter how capable you are, you can't stop the 50,000 Iron Cavalry of the Tang Dynasty?"

Seeing what Zhang Xun was going to say, Li Mu said again: "You know, I can do it."

Zhang Xun snorted and said, "If you were not my son-in-law, I wouldn't have helped you!" Although he was dissatisfied, he believed what Li Mu said, and there was no favor to say when he was killing people in Gaochang.

"So, father-in-law, we are a family, so don't say who plots against whom. Doing this will be good to you, good to me, and also to Your Majesty. Do you think it's OK or not? Let me give you a word."

Zhang Xun said angrily: "Can I still say no now? You have already made plans. If I don't agree, you kid really lead troops to attack. Isn't it lifeless if thousands of people from Zhangjia Village?"

Li Mu smiled and said, "Father-in-law, the son-in-law just said that. If you don't agree, I won't do that. After all, I have to recognize my wife. But if you don't agree, the son-in-law will have to be more trouble. Let you sit in the King of Gaochang for a few days first, and then find a way to get you down. It's too much trouble. It's so good to say this, everyone is happy."

Li Mu poured a glass of wine for Zhang Xun, and Zhang Xun drank it and said, "Don't speak so nicely. I can take a step back, but you have to tell me what to do about this?"

"Father-in-law, listen to me."

Li Mu leaned into Zhang Xun's ear and muttered for a while. The more Zhang Xun listened, his eyes became brighter. After hearing this, he gave Li Mu a glass of wine. The father-in-law and son-in-law looked at each other and laughed.

...

Li Mu stayed in Zhangjiaji for three days before returning to Dingxiang to prepare for the "Dingxiang Alliance" a few days later. The second day after he went to Zhangjiaji, Li Ji and Hou Junji put Nishu back to Camel Valley. Although Li Mu repeatedly said that Nishu would not betrayal, Li Ji still led his troops to station outside the valley. However, the subsequent news dispelled Li Ji's worries. After Nishu returned, he met the leaders of the Western Turkic tribes at the west entrance of the Turkic Valley, which was recognized by most people, but a small number of people were loyal to Siye Hu and did not recognize Nishu's status as a khan. However, because the number of people was too small and there was no climate, Nishu allowed them to leave and did not force them.

In this way, Nishu took over about 80% of the forces left by Siyehu and held a ceremony to succeed the Khan in the Camel Valley, which was the great Khan of the Western Turks. Because the Eastern Turks had been destroyed, the "Western Turks" was abolished and he proclaimed himself the Great Khan of the Turkic Khanate. At the same time, he sent an envoy to the Tang army camp and formally submitted a letter to request the enthronement. In the memorial, Li Shimin was called Tian Khan and called himself Dulu Khan of the Turkic Khanate. He was very thoughtful and respectful.

At this point, Li Ji finally felt relieved and sent a battalion of troops to escort the Turkic envoys to the Hajj. At the same time, Fei Ge sent a letter to pass the message back, so that Chang'an would prepare early. The surrender of the Western Turks was of great significance to the Tang Dynasty, which was the guarantee that the Tang Dynasty could recuperate. If the Western Turks were not in chaos, Tuyuhun, Tubo, Goguryeo, etc. would not dare to act recklessly, because they knew that without the restraint of the Western Turks, they were no match for the Tang Dynasty.

When the dust settled, Hou Junji was preparing to return to the court, just waiting for the imperial court to send an order. After all, the leader was outside, and people were consuming every day. Moreover, if there was no war, the leader was a suspicious matter, and Hou Junji wanted to go back early so that anyone in the court would take the opportunity to attack him.

Although he did not make any great contributions to the war this time, he was not responsible. Although Ju Wentai died at his hands, it was nothing compared to what Li Mu followed up with the tricks. Moreover, Hou Junji talked to Li Mu and got Li Mu's tacit approval. After he returned to the court, he would say that everything was Li Mu's plan, so that no matter what the merits and demerits were, they would all be Li Mu alone.

I just waited for today. Logically speaking, the court should have received a reply from Fei Ge's letter, but it was later than expected.

Two days late.

There were two notes in the reply letter, one for Li Ji, asking him to assist Li Mu and obey Li Mu's arrangements in everything.

Another note is more interesting. It was for Hou Junji. Li Shimin ordered Hou Junji to take Li Mu back to Chang'an, and he also pointed out specifically that there is no need to hide it from Li Ji and Li Mu, but he can speak out bluntly.

What does this mean?

Even though Li Ji and Hou Junji were both powerful generals, they had never seen such a strange thing.

If you see the order given to Li Ji, Your Majesty trusted Li Mu very much. Hou Junji had already reported everything to Li Shimin in detail. In other words, Li Shimin already knew that Li Mu destroyed Gaochang, killed thousands of people, and even wanted his father-in-law to be the king of Gaochang. But in this case, Li Shimin still handed over the power to him. This level of trust was far beyond the trust of a king for his subjects. Even if the prince came in person, Li Shimin would not be able to give such great authority.

But if you look at the orders given to Hou Junji, it will be a different flavor. Although Li Shimin did not point it out, his meaning was already very obvious. Hou Junji's task was to escort Li Mu back to Chang'an at all costs.

Your Majesty is going to attack Li Mu?

But if Your Majesty is dissatisfied with him, why should he give authority? Give authority to recognize what Li Mu did, he is a meritorious minister. Does Your Majesty want to kill meritorious officials?

The two were puzzled. At this moment, Li Mu returned to Dingxiang. Hou Junji and Li Ji did not hide it, and showed both notes to Li Mu. After Li Mu read it, he did not explain anything. He just smiled and then returned the notes to the two generals to ask Li Siwen to prepare for the alliance ceremony. It seemed that this incident had never happened at all.

...

It is definitely a big event for the Tang Dynasty and the Turks to become brotherly countries. Whether it is for the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, or the small countries in the Western Regions, even Tuyuhun, Tubo, Xueyantuo, Goguryeo, etc., it is all a big event. For the big countries such as Tuyuhun and Tubo, the alliance between the Turks and the Tang Dynasty not only makes them unable to take advantage of the Tang Dynasty, but also may lose a large area of ​​their territory due to the cooperation between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks.

For Kucha, Yanqi, Ruoqiang, Loulan, Qiemo, Xiaowan, Ronglu, Mi, Qule, Pishan, Xiye, Puli, Yinai, Shache, Shule, Weitou, Wensu, Yuli, Gumo, Beilu, Wutanzi, Beilu Houguo, Shanhuan, Pule, these small countries, without the restraint of the Tang Dynasty, they are likely to be annexed by the Western Turks.

Therefore, all forces were very concerned about the matter of the Tang Dynasty's alliance with the Turks in Dingxiang. It is said that hearing is false, seeing is true, and hearing is true, so you should not take it seriously. Naturally, you should take it with your own eyes and find out what is going on. Hearing that the alliance is about to be around, the Tang Dynasty and the Turks received inquiries from many envoys from small countries. Their words may be different, but their meanings are the same. They all want to ask if they can come to the scene to watch the ceremony.

The alliance ceremony was prepared by the Tang Dynasty, so Nishu naturally sent people to ask. Li Mu always agreed and said that he would not only allow him to watch the ceremony, but also entertain the envoys from various countries, carve their names and countries they represent on the monuments that witnessed the matter for later generations to commemorate.

After receiving this reply, all countries became more active. Li Siwen made a statistics and finally confirmed that there were thirty-two countries that could come to watch the ceremony. All the countries of all the big and small in the Western Regions were only more than 40. This means that more than 80% of the countries in the Western Regions were sent to envoys except those that were too far away.
Chapter completed!