Chapter 290 Gao Xianzhi's little shoes

The next day, one cold morning, under the stars all over the sky, the gate of Dunhuang City creaked and opened. A team of cavalry rushed out of the city gate like lightning. The roar of huge horse hooves shocked the sleeping city. Lights lit up and then went out again. The cavalry team rushed out of the city gate and joined another cavalry team waiting outside the gate. It was like two tributaries converging, forming a black torrent, passing through the green trees, stepping onto the vast yellow sand, galloping northwest, and gradually disappeared into the blue sky covered with starry jade belts.

Three days later, Li Qing and his party arrived at Kucha City. This was his second time here. The sky was still blue and the river was clear. In the distance, there were crystal-like snow-capped mountains, stretching to the sky. At the foot of the mountain was a large green grassland. The river flowed through it like a jade belt. Cattle and sheep were leisurely looking down at their heads and eating grass everywhere. Groups of women washing clothes by the river infected the business trips and pedestrians with their laughter. This was a quiet and beautiful oasis like a paradise.

"What, are you worried about being demoted to you one level? You are still frank."

Li Qing slowed down his horse and went hand in hand with Duan Xiushi. Seeing that he was not squinting, his face was dark and he looked worried, and he couldn't help but smile: "Soldiers do not like civil servants, they must be qualified and judged by the examination; everything must be considered for appearance, character, and honest officials. They only need to be considered after four years, and they must also consider the background and interpersonal relationships. Only then can they be promoted. That's it. Most of them are at the sixth rank. But soldiers are looking at military merits, fighting bravely to fight the enemy, and opening up territory. Perhaps they can be promoted several levels overnight. For example, on a trip to Nanzhao, I jumped from the sixth rank prince's servant to the third rank governor, and Li Siye, who was also a lieutenant at the time. In just a few years, he became the military envoy of the four towns and the right guard general. This is also from the third rank, so as long as you have the chance, you can also make a splash."

Duan Xiushi joined the army from a Jinshi in the Ming Dynasty. He had active ideas and had always been a strategy. He was also a person with broad mind, but Li Qing cut his position in front of thousands of people. He couldn't get over his face for a while and had been depressed for a few days. Today, Li Qing gave him some advice and he knew that since Li Qing specially brought him to come, he must have a chance to make contributions. Moreover, he was so tempted by such a status, but he was tempted by a humble general. This kind of emphasis was self-evident. Duan Xiushi's momentary displeasure immediately disappeared.

He immediately bowed deeply, "Thank you for your guidance, Xiushi is short-sighted."

"Do it well!" Li Qing pinched his shoulder and encouraged him: "Let us make achievements in the Western Regions together!"

Duan Xiushi nodded silently, his heart was filled with gratitude. Suddenly, an impulse to work hard for Li Qing, resolutely made up his mind, approached Li Qing and whispered: "If the governor wants to achieve a career in Anxi, he must take Gao Xianzhi and replace him."

Li Qing glanced at him, and saw that his eyes were sincere and decisive, and nodded secretly in his heart. This person was calm, but he smiled but didn't say anything on his face. He just raised his head and laughed loudly. Then he pointed the whip forward, "Go! Come with me into the city." He urged the horse to run, and in a moment it turned into a small black dot.

Duan Xiushi was still savoring the meaning of Li Qing's expression, but he suddenly realized that the governor had this intention and he was really worried.

"Go! Enter the city." He shouted loudly, and chased after the horse. Gradually, a group of cavalry disappeared at the end of the road, leaving only the whispering passers-by and the dust in the sky.

Gao Xianzhi has been quite uneasy these days. After the Battle of Xiaobojin in the sixth year of Tianbao, he finally replaced the sickly husband Meng Lingcha as the lord of Anxi. In fact, as early as the third year of Tianbao, because husband Meng Lingcha had been recuperating in Beijing for a long time, he became the King of Anxi with a word. In Anxi, his words were the law, and no one dared to disobey at all. His prestige was to some extent beyond the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty far away in Chang'an. Many small Anxi countries even regarded going to Kucha as a visit to the Heavenly Dynasty. Until the arrival of the military supervisor, the arrogance of Anxi was slightly restrained.

While doing things carefully, he tried his best to please Bian Lingcheng, and was not stingy with his bribes. Finally, he received a memorial full of praise from Bian Lingcheng. Just as they cooperated with the tacit understanding, things suddenly became complicated. About a month ago, he received a copy of the appointment of the court, appointing the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Li Qing, the Minister of the Taifu Temple, as the deputy governor of Anxi and the chief of the Anxi Jiedu Prefecture, in charge of government affairs in the entire Anxi area, and at the same time he restored his position as the governor of Shazhou and the governor of Doulu Army.

Generally speaking, this was a very ordinary appointment, such as Li Siye and Feng Changqing, who were his deputy, serving as the deputy governor of Anxi or the military envoy of the four towns. However, the problem was that the court sent a powerful minister to this position, just like the deputy director of the Development and Reform Commission who held real power in later generations who were parachuted to a certain province as governor. Although the grades were the same, the value was completely different.

Moreover, in the fourth year of Tianbao, Gao Xianzhi had a deal with Li Qing and was kidnapped with an elite army. He has not returned yet. He still remembers it freshly and is still worried.

It would be fine if Li Qing was his deputy, but he also served as the chief minister of the Anxi Jiedu Prefecture and was in charge of the government affairs of the entire Anxi area. This is what made Gao Xianzhi unable to sleep or eat. Anxi is an administrative region that combines military and political affairs, with a military and military administration. The Protectorate is a symbolic management area. Many small Anxi countries are almost independent countries. They only recognize the Tang Dynasty as its sect leader and pay tribute to the court. In layman's terms, it is like recognizing a godfather. They just go to see it during festivals and holidays, and do not have to take his surname, and have no obligation to support him. When Dashi is strong, they also regard Dashi as their godfather. They just have a bad heart and need to charge high protection fees, rather than just a symbolic tribute.

But the Jiedu Mansion is different. It is a real controlled area with garrisons and officials. The people under its rule are the people of the Tang Dynasty.

Gao Xianzhi was both a gubernator and a military governor. The army was controlled, but political affairs were also decided by him. When Li Qing came, it meant that the military and political affairs were separated. Moreover, Li Qing had a place in Shazhou, six thousand troops, and a deep court background. He was his deputy, and he was clearly the second King Anxi.

Gao Xianzhi paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, worrying that his two thick eyebrows were connected together. He had received a letter from the Feige garrison of Yanqi Town, where Li Qing passed by yesterday.

"He is finally here!" Gao Xianzhi sighed long, helplessness overflowed with her face. Calculated the time, Li Qing should be here today.

"Master......"

The judge Kang Huaishun, who had been secretly paying attention to Gao Xianzhi's expression, wanted to speak but stopped. After Feng Changqing was transferred to Beiting, he was the highest administrative official, responsible for the warehouses, farming, armor, support, and camps of the four towns. Although he was following Gao Xianzhi's orders, Gao Xianzhi's orders were mostly instructive, and the real operation rights were in his hands. Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. The Changshi Li Qing was coming, and Kang Huaishun had to return all the food and wages he had privately received during this period. How could he be content? He had been paying attention to Gao Xianzhi's expression, and gradually he discovered the way to deal with Li Qing.

Gao Xianzhi glanced at him and said irritably: "If you have anything, just say it, hide it, like a woman, I don't like it!"

Gao Xianzhi has a big figure and looks handsome when she was young. She is a typical handsome man. Now she is old. Although her appearance has become profound and her skin has become rough and dark, she has an extra majestic and calm temperament, which is even more admirable. Kang Huaishun is the opposite. He is about forties and has excellent maintenance. He has the rare white and fatness in the Western Regions. However, he has a thin and long eagle-girl nose, which makes his kind appearance more cunning. In fact, he is Gao Xianzhi's counselor.

"If the Grand Marshal doesn't like Li Qing's interference in politics, things will be easier!"

Gao Xianzhi stopped and glanced at him sideways and said, "Then tell me, what can I do?"

Kang Huaishun smiled gloomyly and leaned into Gao Xianzhi's ear and said, "The Grand Marshal only needs to let him......"

About half an hour later, Li Qing led his men to the front of the Jiedushi's yamen. From a distance, he saw Gao Xianzhi leading a group of generals standing on the steps and waiting for a long time.

Li Qing turned over and dismounted, and greeted him with a smile, "I haven't seen you for a few years, but the general has become more and more energetic. Li Qing is polite here."

"Where! Where! But the Minister of the Secretariat has been in Chang'an in recent years, and even I, Anxi, have felt the power of the Minister." He said that the price of salt has risen, and he was polite and beautiful, but with a hint of sarcasm.

Gao Xianzhi took Li Qing's hand, looked him up and down, and laughed: "Seeing that the minister is only in his early thirties, he has sat at such a high position. His future is limitless! In a few years, I will return to Beijing to retire. Isn't Anxi the minister's world the minister?"

"The Grand Marshal said where I went. I came to Anxi just to plating and plating, and accumulate some qualifications for managing the place. I will still have to go back to the court in a few years. However, Li Qing still has no experience. I hope the Grand Marshal will give me advice in the future."

"It's easy to say! It's easy to say!" Gao Xianzhi was too lazy to introduce his colleague behind him. He waved his hand and made a gesture of inviting him, "Please go inside and talk in detail."

"Please, Grandmaster!"

The two of them walked into the government office with their hands in their hands. Gao Xianzhi took Li Qing to his room and ordered the maid to pour him tea. Gao Xianzhi reached out and twisted a normal piece of it, peeled it off and put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly. He smiled at Li Qing with a little vagueness: "The minister comes from afar, rest for a few days first, and I will find a few beautiful women to serve him. When the minister is resting, I will arrange for the minister to see the vast territory of my Tang Dynasty."

His pronunciation was vague and his meaning was very vague. He asked Li Qing to see the border, how long it took, half a year or a year, but he didn't say that this was Kang Huaishun's idea, and sent Li Qing out and prevented him from taking over government affairs. He called it: inspecting the people's conditions, which can not only underestimate him, but also deal with the court, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

Although the solution is good, it’s a pity that Kang Huaishun doesn’t understand Li Qing. He just thought he was young and energetic and would agree when he was hot, but he didn’t know that this person’s methods were vicious, and even Li Longji was afraid of him.

Sure enough, as soon as Gao Xianzhi said, Li Qing smiled and shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, but Li Qing is a person who can't stay idle. After inspecting the territory, there is still time. Now let's hand over the affairs first. The emperor is still waiting for my memorial!"

Gao Xianzhi's face turned slightly red and she didn't say anything. Kang Huaishun next to her said, "The Minister is responsible for government affairs, so he should naturally understand the people's sentiments first. When the Minister comes back around the place and understands the customs of the Western Regions, he can better target and solve the difficulties of the people. This is the kindness of Gao Dashu, so the Minister should not postpone it."

"Don't postpone it?" Li Qing snorted gently, and Gao Xianzhi was not easy to say something clearly, and it was not easy to turn against him. Then someone would say it for him. Maybe this was his dog-headed military advisor. Li Qing glanced at him with a thin and long hawk nose. He said coldly: "Who are you? Why did you interrupt my conversation with the Grand Marshal? If you are the Grand Marshal's subordinate, this is called the following offender. If you are the Grand Marshal's subordinate, you must behead the public. If you are the Grand Marshal's subordinates, you must be punished and beat a hundred military sticks. Gao Grand Marshal, is your subordinates so supreme?"

Gao Xianzhi was frightened by Li Qing's coldness. He waved his hand and advised: "Don't be angry, this person is my camp in Anxi. I am not strict in discipline, so I will make the assistant laugh at me."

He turned around and shouted sternly at Kang Huaishun: "If I talk to the minister, there is no room for you to interrupt, let me go out!"

"Let's wait!"

Li Qing stopped Kang Huaishun, who was about to leave, bowed and smiled, "It turned out to be the camp envoy. I offended it just now, but I have two things to tell you first."

Li Qing slowly walked behind him, stared at his twitching neck, but glanced at Gao Xianzhi intentionally or unintentionally and sneered: "First, I am no longer the Minister of Revenue, but the Deputy Protector of Anxi, the Chief Minister of Anxi Jiedu. Don't call me the Minister of the Incoming Time, call me the Chief Minister or the Chief Minister of the Governor; Second, you will be promoted within three days after the official is released from the local area. This is the rule of the court, not as you said, you will travel around for a year or a half before taking office. That will be dismissed and investigated. If you don't understand, don't interrupt."

Li Qing general Kang Huaishun scolded him fiercely. Seeing that he lowered his head and said nothing, he turned around and smiled at Gao Xianzhi: "I think all the generals are here, so why don't we hold the inauguration ceremony now and report it early to give the emperor a surprise."

Faced with Li Qing's use of both soft and hard work, Gao Xianzhi could no longer find a reason to refute, and laughed dryly: "It's better for the Chief Secretary to take a day off first. We will hold a handover tomorrow. Come and send Li Changshi to the inn to rest."

"Okay, I guess the coach is not ready either, so I will come to handle the handover on time tomorrow."

Li Qing smiled and bowed to Gao Xianzhi, then said goodbye.

Kang Huaishun looked at Li Qing's back, and the flesh on his cheeks suddenly trembled violently, and a vicious look shot out in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and said to Gao Xianzhi: "Master General is better off going out to inspect and leave him here, for one month or two months, killing him arrogance!"

"Film! Do you still don't understand?"

Gao Xianzhi looked at Kang Huaishun and hummed disdainfully, "The art of war says: know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. This person can successfully promote salt administration, without any background or backstage, but can reach a high position at a young age, which means that he is still skillful. Your plan has long been seen through. If I listen to you and go out to retreat, I am afraid that even the position of this great commander will be his when I come back."

"Will the Grand Marshal really plan to hand over the internal affairs power to him?" Kang Huaishun became anxious.

Gao Xianzhi thought slowly with his hands behind his back. He looked at the roof, stared at the ground, sneered, and sighed. After a long time, he sighed: "Li Qing, I am not afraid, I will do my own ways. The key is the emperor, An Lushan fought the Khitan and Wang Zhongsi attacked Tubo. I have never heard of eunuchs who supervised the army. Even if Anxi is special, he has been using military forces against Xiao Bojin many times, but he has never seen any surveillance. But when he comes to me, a military supervisor comes. Why? If I can't see through this, I'm afraid I'll be confused sooner or later."

"The commander-in-chief means that Li Qing was also sent by the emperor? No wonder he was so arrogant." Kang Huaishun said resentfully. Some people are good at conspiracy but do not understand strategy and layout. Kang Huaishun is like this. He cares more about his own personal interests and whether he can save the oil he has already gained. As for Li Longji's layout as Gao Xianzhi said, he doesn't understand, nor does he care.

Gao Xianzhi glared at him dissatisfiedly and scolded: "Don't come in my room in the future. You idiot, listening to your words will only ruin my big deal."

When Kang Huaishun was driven away, Gao Xianzhi's heart became even more irritable. Jun's heart was unpredictable. He really couldn't see why Li Longji sent Li Qing to Anxi. At this time, there was a rhythmic knock on the door outside the door. This was Li Siye's habit. He knew that Li Siye must have heard the news and came to visit Li Qing.

"Come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Siye pushed the door in. His changes in recent years have not been great. His steps are as steady as before and his eyes are also sharp. But beyond Gao Xianzhi's expectations, Li Siye did not look around and look for his old friends, but gave a military salute and said in a deep voice: "Master, I am here to discuss with the Master to attack the Imperial State. It is May now. It will take at least three or four months to train sergeants and prepare food and supplies. If you wait until the imperial court issued an order before you start preparing, Xiao Bojin is in danger! I mean to prepare first. Once the imperial court's order arrives, you can immediately launch an army to attack the Imperial State. I wonder what the Master wants?"

A sentence reminded Gao Xianzhi, and his eyes lit up, "Yes! Letting Li Qing go to Shule to prepare for the war is the matter of the chief minister. It leaves Li Qing with nothing to say in both public and private."
Chapter completed!