The next day, Li Mu brought three thousand men and horses and rushed to Gaochang with the refugees of the Hidden tribe. This time he went to participate in the ceremony of Zhang Xun's succession to the throne. Since he was "verified" that he was a descendant of the Zhang family Gaochang, his succession this time was not "crowning" but successor. He had to worship his ancestors first, and to create a question about what kind of grandsons lived up to expectations and succeeded in restoring the country...

Zhang Xun has been preparing for decades, and he naturally knows the tricks here, so there is no need for Li Mu to worry about. Li Mu's trip is not entirely for congratulations. He still has one important thing to do.

Li Mu made Zhang Xun the king, and no matter how he made excuses, this incident touched Li Shimin's rebellious scale. Even if Li Shimin did not attack this time, when the Tang Dynasty rested and was strong, Zhang Xun's throne would not be stable. Li Mu also had to give Li Shimin an explanation, so he went this time to completely change the country of Gaochang and make it a "neutral country".

When Li Mu was considering Gaochang's future, he thought of many ways in his mind. For example, similar to some countries in the world before he traveled through time, there was a constitutional monarchy, parliamentary election system, etc., but after thinking about it, it was not very suitable. Zhang Xun was already crazy about being an emperor, and he would not accept himself as a puppet. The detailed works under his command were spread all over the Western Regions, which Li Mu valued and was also something he feared. Li Mu wanted to make these details for the Tang Dynasty to operate the Western Regions, rather than causing trouble, so he had to give Zhang Xun some concessions.

But he could not let Zhang Xun become bigger, so he had to restrict Zhang Xun. Therefore, neutrality was a compromise that he thought of.

At dusk, when the people arrived in Gaochang, Li Mu sent a quick horse to inform him, so Zhang Xun had been waiting here for a while. Seeing Li Mu bringing refugees, he did not express his discomfort. For a country, population is a very important resource. Li Mu killed thousands of people from the Ju family in Gaochang and brought thousands of people, which basically filled the population.

When he saw Zhang Xun again, Li Mu could clearly find that Zhang Xun's temperament had changed a lot, and his temperament was calm. He, the King of Gaochang, who had not been formally enthroned, was more like a prince than him, the Marquis of Zhulu.

When they entered the city, the city was in order and there was no panic at all. When the people saw Zhang Xun and the people who took the initiative to greet him, Li Mu was surprised. His father-in-law really had some tricks. In just a few days, he was recognized by the people. Most people would never be able to do this.

Because the succession ceremony will be held tomorrow, the city lords of the twenty-two cities in Gaochang are also here. Zhang Xun arranged the Hidden Clan members in the ruins of the Gaochang Palace and ordered people to give food to temporarily resettle them. Then, with Li Mu, and the twenty-two city lords of Gaochang, they came to the largest restaurant in Gaochang City, which was temporarily "requisitioned" and became his temporary residence.

However, in fact, this restaurant was actually run by people under Zhang Xun. It was ridiculous that the Ju family and son were being monitored by others without knowing it.

Zhang Xun was organizing the food, but Li Mu stopped him. Li Mu looked at everyone, took off the Shangfang sword, and placed it on the table. Everyone saw Shangfang sword, and they all calmed down. Every time Li Mu took out the Shangfang sword, they almost had to see blood. They didn't know what Li Mu wanted to do today.

Zhang Xun didn't know Li Mu's true plan, but looking at Li Mu's expression, he guessed that there was something going on again. Zhang Xun hesitated for a moment, called the maid over and asked her to invite Zhang Tianai. Since the city lords were there, he did not intend to let Zhang Tianai attend. But now that there was a change, he thought again that Li Mu might be a little bit of affection in front of Zhang Tianai and would not do things too much.

Li Mu noticed it, but did not stop it. Even if Zhang Tianai talked, it would not be possible to change what he had decided.

"You have also seen it. This marquis lit up Shangfang's sword. The following words are not what this marquis means, but are sent to the emperor on behalf of the emperor. This marquis has received the emperor's will and has made a decision on how to arrange Gaochang's future."

"I'm going to receive the order-" Zhang Xun immediately took the city lords out of the seat and wanted to kneel down, but was stopped by Li Mu. "There is no need to kneel down, sit and listen. If you don't understand anything, you have to discuss it, and you don't have to be too restricted."

Zhang Xun and others sat down tremblingly. Li Mu cleared his voice and said, "Let me talk about Your Majesty's will. Since it was sent by Fei Ge, there was no imperial edict. There was only one note that briefly explained Your Majesty's meaning. I didn't go around the corner and said it straight to the point. Your Majesty's meaning was that Gaochang did not choose to join the Tang Dynasty. He was very disappointed, but he respected the choice of the people of Gaochang and appointed Zhang Xun as King of Gaochang and took over the throne of Gaochang. However, there were three rules. If these three conditions were not followed, the Tang Dynasty would send troops to sank Gaochang and move the people of Gaochang into the Central Plains. The country's fortune would no longer exist."

All the city lords were panicked, but Zhang Xun remained calm. He stood up and saluted, and asked carefully, "I wonder what the three rules of His Majesty's Emperor's Constitution are?"

"Let me talk about this first one. Gaochang is between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks. Although now, the Tang Dynasty and the Turks have formed an alliance as brotherly countries and are just warriors, no one can say that peace for all ages is true. Gaochang is in the middle and should remain neutral and not be biased towards either side." After pausing, Li Mu added, "I think this is Your Majesty's far-sighted vision, for the sake of the good of the Tang Dynasty, and even more for the good of Gaochang. Compared with the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, Gaochang is completely incomparable. The result of leaning towards either side is to cause destruction, so it is best to remain neutral."

Everyone can understand this, and there is a lesson in the past. Zhang Xun himself felt that there was nothing he could not agree with, so he said, "This is absolutely fine. Even if the Turks and the Tang Dynasty wars resurface in the future, Gao Chang will definitely stand on the side of the Tang Dynasty."

The other city lords also agreed, "Yes, we are all Han people, and we have the same clan and clan, and we must be on the side of the Tang Dynasty."

"Everyone is wrong. His Majesty the Emperor's request is to keep Gaochang neutral." Li Mu said solemnly, "Your Majesty's request is neutral, and the meaning I convey is also this. You better not add fuel to the fire. It is not good to misunderstand His Majesty's meaning."

Zhang Xun looked at Li Mu secretly. Seeing his gaze, Li Mu gave him a small hint. Zhang Xun said, "Whatever Your Majesty says is, let's do what we do."

Li Mu nodded and continued, "The second thing is that Gaochang is located in the gateway of the Western Regions. The Tang Dynasty must follow the Han Dynasty and operate the Silk Road. However, there are too many small countries in the Western Regions, and it is very inconvenient to manage the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, Your Majesty meant that Gaochang would assume the responsibility of translation. Simply put, as a transit place, when the small countries in the Western Regions came to do business with the Tang Dynasty, they would first go to Gaochang and then trade in Dingxiang. The Tang Dynasty did not let Gaochang work in vain. They would give certain discounts in terms of tariffs."

Everyone was stunned and couldn't believe their ears. Especially Zhang Xun, he looked up and down at Li Mu, and he was a little doubtful if the Li Mu in front of him was real. Is there such a cheap thing in the world?

How many countries in the Western Regions? Thirty-six with names and surnames are worth hundreds of them. If these merchants traded with the Tang Dynasty, they would first pass by Gaochang. Gaochang could even eat a bowl of rice on the side of the rice. Zhang Xun was a market ruling for several months and knew how much oil and water there was to make a fortune here.

Will Li Mu be so cheap for me? He can't believe it.

"Third, the new king of Gaochang ascended the throne and must accept the title of Emperor Tang."

After Li Mu finished speaking, he looked at everyone, and everyone looked at him, as if he was waiting for the next words, but after waiting for a long time, everyone realized that Li Mu had finished speaking.

Zhang Xun couldn't believe it yet, so he asked carefully, "Son-in-law, that's all?"

Li Mu looked like he was doing his job and said, "Don't call him like this, Shang Fang's sword is in front of him. I am sending an order on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, and I cannot discuss personal feelings."

"It's extreme, it's extreme," Zhang Xun hurriedly stood up and bowed to the end. "King Gaochang is obeying the will of His Majesty the Emperor."

It happened that Zhang Tianai came at this time. Seeing Zhang Xun saluting Li Mu, his face became unfair. When Li Mu saw his wife coming, he didn't dare to take off any more airs, so he quickly pulled Zhang Xun up. Zhang Xun was happy and helped Li Mu cover up and asked the maid to serve the food quickly. Li Mu was worried about what he wanted to tell Zhang Xun privately later. He couldn't eat much, but he didn't get much cheaper. He called Li Chongyi to eat for him. No matter what occasion Li Mu asked him to eat, he would eat it. Half of the big table of more than 20 people went into his stomach.

After the banquet, he arrived at the place where he stayed. Zhang Xun stepped back and Li Mu asked Zhang Tianai to go back and rest first, and followed Zhang Xun to a secluded place.

"Son-in-law, you'll tell me what your idea is."

"Father-in-law, am I not clear enough?"

"Ha," Zhang Xun sneered, "The three requests you made are not like requests, but like giving money to Gaochang. It involves diplomatic relations between the two countries. I don't believe in His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and he is such a kind-hearted person."

"My father-in-law always thinks of others so badly. I am your son-in-law, so how can I not think about you?"

Zhang Xun sneered and said, "Then tell me in detail, what does the so-called neutrality mean?"

"Oh, this one." Li Mu laughed, leaned closer to Zhang Xun, and said, "Neutrality means that the two do not help each other. Simply put, no matter which one fights with the Western Regions in the future, they will have no relationship with Gaochang."

"In other words, Gao Chang can't beat someone else, either?"

"This is natural, neutral."

Zhang Xun sneered and said, "Li Mu, do you know that you are cutting off your arms! I only have Tianai, this daughter. From now on, her child will be the heir to Gaochang's reign. If you restrict it, your son will suffer!"

"Oh, father-in-law, don't say that." Li Mu said seriously. "You, although you are in poor health, I think you will not die for a while. When I return to Chang'an, I will visit famous doctors and ask you for a prescription. I can't help but you still have a child in old age. Anyway, I will never let my child be the King of Gaochang, so don't even think about it."

"Then I can't agree to you."

"Why?" Li Mu spread his hands and said, "Father-in-law, who do you think Gaochang has the ability to invade now? You must not be able to defeat the Tang Dynasty. You can't even think about it. Apart from the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, there are only Tuyuhun and Yanqi left behind. Tuyuhun's cavalry are not vegetarians. I think Gaochang is very difficult. Yanqi has some fights, but Yanqi has rescued the Turkic Khan Nishu. If Yanqi is attacked, the Turkic cannot ignore it. From this perspective, you can't even beat the surrounding countries. Then why not keep neutral and make more money by passing money. What a good thing. If I didn't marry your daughter, would this good thing be your turn?"

"I admit that I may not be able to see Gaochang's soldiers be sent to other countries in my life, but it is difficult to guarantee that Gaochang will not be able to be strong in the future!"

"Then will you say it again later?" Li Mu interrupted Zhang Xun and said, "Father-in-law, my son-in-law thinks that people are content. There is an old saying that those who steal hooks will be punished, and those who steal the country will be marquis, you are considered a marquis who steal the country. You are more than just a marquis, you are all kings. OK, it's almost done."

"Once Gaochang becomes a permanent neutral country in the Western Regions, Gaochang will become a special existence in the Western Regions. And I can promise you that after Gaochang becomes a neutral country, any enemy who tries to invade Gaochang will be regarded as the enemy of the Tang Dynasty. There is no need to fight Gaochang in wars. The Tang Dynasty will help you fight, and the Turks will help you fight. You only need to bear a little food and grass. What does your father-in-law think?"

"snort!"

"The second point I just said is that in the future situation in the Western Regions, Gaochang will become an important part. I have discussed with Nishu that the Turks will set up a market in Camel Valley. At that time, the Turkic tribes will transport their excess materials, such as fur, to this market, and trade with the Tang Dynasty through Dingxiang. Other small countries in the Western Regions can only trade with the Tang Dynasty through Gaochang. I lowered Gaochang's tariffs to ensure that the small countries in the Western Regions will not follow the Turkic line, which is equivalent to giving you money."

"In addition, I will allocate the unclear land from Dingxiang to Gaochang to Gaochang, so that Gaochang's territory can reach a thousand miles, and serve as compensation for my father-in-law to resettle the Hidden Clan. My father-in-law's dedication and land, and this transaction can be profitable and not lose money. At that time, Gaochang will have a thousand miles of land and bring wealth from all directions, so there is no need to worry about being coveted by neighboring countries. I really don't know if my father-in-law has any reason to refuse to agree to such a beautiful thing."

Li Mu said it as if Zhang Xun had taken a huge advantage, but Zhang Xun had figured out the joint here, and did not talk to each other, but just sneered!
Chapter completed!