Chapter 311 The Sacred Heart is unpredictable
Chang'an, Xingqing Palace.

The situation of the war in the northeast was sent to Li Longji's desk. When he opened it, he saw that it clearly stated that Abusi, the deputy envoy of Shuofang Jiedushi and Prince Fengxin, had rebelled against the Tang Dynasty on his way to fight the Khitan and fled to the northern desert.

Li Longji was furious and said, "The DTZ Khanate was destroyed, and Usumish Khan was killed by the combined forces of Basimi, Huihe and Karluk. Abusi led his troops to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. I made Abusi a king and gave him the name Li Xianzhong. I treated Abusi well. Why did he rebel against the Tang Dynasty?"

Yang Guozhong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think Abusi is nostalgic for DTZ, and this move is for the so-called restoration of the country."

Li Longji did not answer Yang Guozhong's question, but turned to ask Li Linfu: "Didn't the Right Prime Minister say that the Hu people were the most brave and loyal? Why did Abusi rebel against the Tang Dynasty?"

In order to prevent the Han clans from gaining power in the military, Li Linfu proposed to employ more Hu people with no background as generals. But who could have thought that Abusi would actually rebel!
Isn't this a slap in the face by Albus?
But in the final analysis, it was Li Longji's intention.

Just like one of the reasons why An Lushan was able to be reused was that he was a Hu people and had nothing to do with the aristocratic families in Hebei Province. That was why Li Longji wanted to use him to suppress the aristocratic families in Hebei Province.

But now Li Longji deliberately asked him this, obviously intending to pass the blame.

Li Linfu pondered for a moment and replied, "It is still unclear why Abusi rebelled. It is not easy to draw conclusions now. Yang Yushi's words are too arbitrary."

Li Longji asked, "You mean An Lushan forced him to rebel?"

Li Longji knew that An Lushan and Abusi were at odds, and that Abusi's rebellion was mostly caused by An Lushan's oppression. However, An Lushan was also a Hu man, and had always been respectful to him. It was not easy for him to stab An Lushan at the moment, so he could only say, "I have absolutely no such intention. I just think it needs to be investigated in detail."

"What are you investigating?" Li Longji raised his voice. "No matter what the reason, Abusi has already betrayed us. Besides, we can't even find him now. How can we investigate?"

"What the saint said is very true." Yang Guozhong stepped forward to echo, "Abusi's rebellion has damaged the prestige of the Tang Dynasty. He must be brought back to Chang'an and punished according to law!"

Li Longji asked: "How to catch it?"

Yang Guozhong said: "Abusi fled to Mobei, why not let the Huihe capture him, and then see if the Huihe is loyal to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Longji still did not answer Yang Guozhong, and asked Li Linfu again: "What do you think, Right Prime Minister?"

Li Linfu knew that Li Longji was not going to ask the reason and only wanted to solve the problem by force. He sighed silently in his heart and said, "I suggest adding another step to Yang Yushi's strategy and let His Royal Highness Prince Shou and the Huihe people capture him together."

Li Longji was slightly startled when he heard this.

Yang Guozhong's strategy was to just let the Huihe contribute. In this way, all the initiative would be in the hands of the Huihe. It would be unknown whether the Huihe would contribute or how much they would contribute. At that time, he would just need to pretend to do so, and would have an excuse if he failed to get the person.

Li Linfu's suggestion put the initiative in the hands of the Tang Dynasty. If the Uighurs did not work hard, Li Heng would have a reason to lead a large army to advance into the Uighurs. At that time, not to mention capturing Abusi, even whether the Uighur territory could be preserved would be decided by the Tang Dynasty.

As for what Yang Guozhong said about testing the loyalty of the Uighurs, it was not within Li Longji's consideration. The interests between countries were the most important, and loyalty was only linked to interests.

"Yang Zhao is still too immature." Li Longji sighed silently and said, "Then let's follow what the Right Prime Minister said."

"Yes." The ministers accepted the order.

Li Linfu continued: "Abusi was also the deputy governor of Shuofang. Now that he has defected, Shuofang should immediately fill the vacancy."

Li Longji asked, "Does the Right Prime Minister have anyone to recommend?"

Li Linfu said: "I recommend Li Guangbi, the deputy commander of the Chishui Army. In the war with Tubo, Li Guangbi has made many military achievements and is a rare talent as a general."

Li Longji turned to Li Heng, who had been silent, and asked, "What do you think, Prince?"

Li Heng said, "I second the proposal of Right Prime Minister."

Li Longji's expression changed slightly, and he said, "In that case, I will approve it."

Li Linfu said again: "Nanzhao has had frequent exchanges with Tubo recently, and it is not easy to win them over. I advise you not to use military force against Nanzhao again." Li Longji said: "The war in the north has not stopped, and there is a high possibility of war in the west. It is not appropriate to start a war now. Let's discuss this matter later."

Li Linfu said, "The sage is wise, but everything is established with preparation, otherwise it will fail. We cannot just let Nanzhao go on its own. I suggest selecting talented people who are familiar with Nanzhao from the court to go to Jiannan to assist Prince Rong in managing matters concerning Nanzhao."

"That's a good suggestion." Li Longji nodded. "Who do you think is suitable, Right Prime Minister?"

"Yang Zhao, the Imperial Censor." Li Linfu blurted out, "Yang is originally from Jiannan. He also participated in the previous war with Nanzhao. It is most appropriate to let Yang go."

Li Longji's expression changed slightly.

He knew that Li Linfu was trying to exclude Yang Guozhong and wanted to transfer Yang Guozhong to Jiannan so that he could monopolize power in the court.

Li Longji did not want Yang Guozhong to leave Chang'an, but he also did not want to offend Li Linfu, so he smiled and said, "Right Prime Minister, this is a wise and prudent statement for the state. I will follow your suggestion and let Yang Yushi go to Jiannan as the deputy governor."

Li Linfu was overjoyed and said, "The saint is wise!"

Yang Guozhong felt as if struck by lightning, and became completely dejected.

……

After the court session, Li Linfu left in high spirits, while Yang Guozhong was somewhat depressed.

At this time, the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict called Yang Guozhong and said, "Yang Yushi, the emperor wants to see you."

"Yes." Yang Guozhong answered and followed the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict. But he was thinking in his heart: "It's over. The emperor is urging me to leave quickly!"

With a nervous mood, Yang Guozhong met Li Longji in Chenxiang Courtyard.

Li Longji and Jiang Caiping scattered fish food, waited for Yang Guozhong to pay his respects, and said, "Yang Yushi, go to Jiannan for a few months to visit relatives. After a few months, I will transfer you back. By then, you will have gained more experience and can take over Wang Yu's work."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guozhong suddenly became alert and bowed, saying, "I thank the Saint for his grace."

Li Longji said: "Okay, do your job well."

"Yes." Yang Guozhong accepted the order, hesitated for a moment, and bowed, saying: "My name is Zhao, and the three characters "卯金刀" are on the prophecy, which is an unlucky name. I beg the saint to give me a name."

"You are loyal." Li Longji looked at Yang Guozhong and remembered that he had given Abusi the name Li Xianzhong. He said, "Since you are loyal to the country, I will give you the name Guozhong. I hope you will live up to the name of Guozhong in the future."

Yang Guozhong was overjoyed and said, "I thank the saint for his grace!"

Li Longji waved his hand and Yang Guozhong retreated happily.

As soon as Yang Guozhong left, Gao Lishi walked into the pavilion, presented a memorial, and said, "Your Majesty, this is a letter from the Crown Prince announcing the good news."

Li Longji asked, "What good news?"

Gao Lishi said: "Zhang Liangdi gave birth to a son, a boy."

When Jiang Caiping heard this, her face changed slightly and she stopped scattering fish food.

Li Longji said: "Since we have a new grandson, we should increase the number of maids and servants as usual."

Gao Lishi said: "Yes."

(End of this chapter)