The meeting lasted until noon and then ended.

The officials dispersed one by one, but the seven prime ministers and several other ministers in the political hall did not leave. Zhao Zhi left them behind because he obviously had other matters to deal with.

Everyone moved to Akihito Hall, a small palace where Zhao Zhi often reviewed memorials.

Li Xun stood all morning, tired and hungry, but there was nothing he could do. His current status was equivalent to Zhao Zhi's personal bodyguard. Until Zhao Zhi's affairs were settled, Li Xun could not go anywhere.

Li Xun and several other guards entered the hall first and stood at the four corners.

After a while, Zhao Zhi and others entered one by one.

After everyone was seated, the eunuch and the maid brought a table for everyone and placed tableware on it. It seemed that Zhao Zhi was preparing to eat and talk with everyone.

"I leave all my dear friends here, I believe you already know the reason."

Zhao Zhi spoke first, then looked at Left Prime Minister Liu Jie: "Xiangguo Liu, there is something strange happening in Tubo. What do you think?"

Five days ago, Yu Min, the governor of Langzhou, reported military information. Tubo has been mobilizing its military frequently recently. More than 30,000 troops have been gathered five hundred miles west of Langzhou, with unknown intentions.

Liu Jie once served as a local governor and led troops in battles, so Zhao Zhi valued Liu Jie's opinions more in terms of military affairs.

Liu Jie pondered for a moment and said slowly: "After these years of recuperation, Tubo has gradually recovered its vitality. Although contemporary Zampu is young, his ambitions are great. Now he has gathered troops to the west of Langzhou. It seems that he is preparing to fight with

I’m ready for a great battle.”

Qin Anming asked in confusion: "Master Zuo Xiang, are you a little too decisive in what you say?"

Ma Wu, the right minister of the Ministry of War, stood up, bowed to Zhao Zhi, and then said loudly: "The contemporary Zanpu of Tubo is named Du Songlong Langjie. He is twenty years old. Three years ago, the old Zanpu died of illness.

Songlong Langjie seized the throne in a coup. Since he ascended the throne, there have been many rebellions in Tubo, and there are many dissatisfied people. Du Songlonglangjie is now gathering troops to the west of Langzhou, and he must be preparing to improve himself through foreign wars.

prestige and consolidate one’s own imperial power.”

Whether it is Tubo in the west, Mobei Grassland in the north, or Ailao in the southwest, whenever new kings ascend the throne, as long as the domestic situation is unstable, they often send troops to provoke the Jin Dynasty and use war to gain military exploits and prestige.

Consolidate your own royal power.

When Qin Anming saw that no one was paying attention to him, Ma Wu retorted loudly, his face suddenly turned red, and he looked at Ma Wu with a look of resentment in his eyes.

Zhao Zhi waved his hand and motioned Ma Wu to sit down. He thought for a moment and nodded, feeling that what Ma Wu said was reasonable.

"Master Ma, what are your countermeasures?"

Ma Wu was born as a military general. He was the governor of Longyou, stationed in Liangzhou and defended against Tibet for many years. He was Huang Xu's immediate superior. He was transferred back to Fengjing three years ago and served as the right minister of the Ministry of War. If it weren't for this person's excessive personality

He was arrogant and offended too many people. Zhao Zhi was planning to let him join the Political Affairs Hall as Prime Minister with the title of right minister of the Ministry of War.

"Your Majesty, I would like to lead troops to Langzhou to guard against Tibet."

Ma Wu asked for orders to send troops. He was honored as the right minister of the Ministry of War, and he also had the opportunity to join the political affairs hall and become the prime minister. Even if he could not enter the political affairs hall, it was a good thing to be a high-ranking official and enjoy the blessings in Fengjing.

Ma Wu is already fifty-two this year, but he does not obey his old age. He does not like Fengjing. He has always dreamed of returning to Longyou, fighting on the battlefield with the soldiers, and shrouding his body in horse leather.

A hint of admiration flashed in Zhao Zhi's eyes. He liked this kind of general, who was simple, upright and had no ambitions.

"If a war with Tibet is inevitable, it may be a good idea to let Ma Shilang lead the army to Langzhou to strike first." Liu Jie's attitude was more intense. He would gain strength by attacking first and suffer disaster by attacking later.

Zhao Zhi was silent for a moment, then looked at Yang Daosi: "Yang Xiangguo, what do you have in mind?"

Yang Daosi had closed his eyes to rest until Zhao Zhi asked, then he opened his eyes and said softly: "Now the weather is getting colder and it is not suitable for war. Even if the war with Tufan is inevitable, we will have to wait until the spring of next year. Veteran

I thought it would be better to send envoys to Tufan first to make peace and explore the truth. If we agree to the peace, it will be best for everyone to be in harmony. If we refuse, we are also prepared, and it will not be too late to increase our troops in Langzhou."

Wang Renzhi, the Minister of Punishment, said submissively: "Isn't this too passive?"

"A war between two countries is nothing to play with. It should be handled with caution."

Yang Daosi didn't even look at Wang Renzhi. He said these words calmly and closed his eyes again.

Wang Renzhi glanced at Liu Jie and saw that he had no objection, so he could only lower his head and remain silent.

Zhao Zhi thought for a long time and felt that Yang Daosi's suggestion was indeed the most prudent. Seeing that no ministers objected, he nodded: "In accordance with Yang Xiangguo's wishes, let the Ministry of Rites select the candidate for the envoy as soon as possible and go to Tufan to make the marriage."

At the end of the meeting, everyone ate and left one by one.

Zhao Zhi frowned and walked slowly forward aimlessly, with Li Xun and dozens of other guards following behind him.

Looking at Zhao Zhi's slightly hunched back, Li Xun sighed. He felt that Zhao Zhi, the emperor, was really tired.

Although this battle in the south of the Yangtze River was a great victory, Zhao Zhi was extremely troubled by the post-war rewards. The reason was very simple. The imperial court had no money, but it had to give rewards, especially those from various places who had to adapt to the wind.

Although the envoys did not exert much effort, they sent troops after all. Zhao Zhi could not make them cold, so in the end he had to reward them all.

All soldiers participating in the battle received two taels of silver each, the disabled received five taels, and those who died in battle received ten taels.

I have to say that it was really shabby and even caused criticism from many soldiers.

Now, war is about to break out over Longyou, how can Zhao Zhi not be worried?

"Your Majesty, you haven't eaten anything just now, and you have been discussing things for a while, so your dragon body is the most important thing. You should go back to Wanfu Hall to rest for a while."

Zhao Zhi had been gone for half an hour. Duke Mu couldn't help but whispered persuasion from the side.

Zhao Zhi shook his head and said nothing. He walked for a while and came to a pavilion. Zhao Zhi sat down. Herdsman quickly took the cloak and put it on Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi tightened his cloak tightly, looked into the distance, thinking about something, and fell into a daze.

Goo!

A sound of a hungry stomach growled.

Zhao Zhi came back to his senses, looked at Li Xun, and said quietly: "Dog, if you are hungry, please retreat first."

Li Xun touched his head in embarrassment: "The emperor's uncle is here, how can the dog leave?"

Zhao Zhi smiled and suddenly said: "Gouer, you also contributed a lot in this battle in Jiangnan, but I only rewarded you with a small captain. Are you dissatisfied?"

Li Xun cupped his hands and said seriously: "The emperor's uncle can reward Gou'er with the position of school captain. Gou'er is already very satisfied and does not dare to have any extravagant expectations."
Chapter completed!