Chapter Eleven: Visiting Du Fu (Third Update, Seeking Recommendation Votes)

  Li Linfu was notorious for his jealousy of talented individuals and his actions were aimed at preserving his own power and solidifying his position.

  "As for 'having honey in his mouth and a sword in his belly', it was just a means for him to achieve this goal."

  As long as it threatens his status, no matter how small a sprout, he will not let go, and must be eliminated before he can rest assured.

  His question was a trap set for Li Changguo, to test whether Gao Xianzhi had any intention of threatening him. If he did, then he would be in trouble, even if he were the Anxi Da Duhu, and would have to make amends for this great victory.

  Li Changguo slightly emphasized the word "first", which was to tell Li Linfu that I came to Chang'an and saw you first, so you can rest assured.

  Li Linfu was extremely satisfied with Li Changguo's answer, but this man is too cunning and has a deep mind, so he didn't show his emotions.

  A spark of light flashed in his eyes, which was a sign of admiration.

  Li Changguo wants to prevent the An Shi Rebellion and prevent the Tang Dynasty from declining, Li Linfu is definitely a person who needs to be eliminated. However, this will be discussed later. For now, Li Changguo should focus on establishing his own foundation; to improve his position, he must make achievements and gain influence in the Tang Dynasty; to achieve this, he must borrow power without revealing any signs of threatening Li Linfu.

  If Li Changguo shows any sign of threatening Li Linfu at this time, Li Linfu can crush him with just one finger. Enduring is the best strategy for now.

  "Present!"

  Li Linfu was satisfied and no longer tested Li Changguo.

  Li Changguo took out Gao Xianzhi's token and handed it to the attendant guard, who received it and presented it to Li Linfu.

  Li Linfu took it in his hand, unfolded it and browsed through it, nodding lightly and smiling: "Gao Xianzhi is a young prodigy, at a young age he was promoted to the same rank as his father Gao Xianji, truly a story of the time. He relied on his own talent, accumulated merit and rose to become the deputy governor of the Anxi Protectorate, now he has taken down small Bolu, cutting off the Tibetans' passage into the Western Regions, separating the Tibetans and the Arabs, making it easier for the Tang Dynasty to defeat them one by one."

  The words were spoken slowly and steadily, with no fluctuations in tone.

  Li Changguo heard it in his ears, but was shocked and secretly admired: "This Li Linfu is a treacherous minister with a stench that will last for ten thousand years, but he has talent, one needle sees blood, and one sentence clearly explains the current Tang Dynasty's Western Regions strategy."

  The small town of Little Balur was not particularly important, but it was located on the only road that Tibet could take to enter Western Regions, so it became especially crucial. If Little Balur were taken, it would cut off Tibet's access to Western Regions, and the possibility of Tibet allying with the Arab Empire again would be zero.

  As long as the Tubo and the Arab Empire cannot join forces, it is a good opportunity for the Tang Dynasty. With its strong national strength, it can defeat the Tubo and the Arab Empire one by one.

  "Prime Minister is wise and brilliant!"

  Although Li Changguo had no good feelings towards Li Linfu, he couldn't help but sincerely praise him.

  This remark was very sincere, and Li Linfu couldn't help but hear it. He looked at Li Changguo with appreciation and said: "Xiaobo's law is located in the dangerous mountains and evil waters of Congling, the mountain is high and the forest is dense, easy to defend and difficult to attack. You can take it down, it's really not easy, haven't you suffered a lot?"

  "All the way marching, difficulties are numerous, and the soldiers have eaten a lot of bitter heads." Li Changguo said to this point, his tone suddenly changed, saying: "However, we are men of the Great Tang Dynasty, no matter how many dangers and obstacles there are, they cannot stop our advancing footsteps! The Onion Ridge cannot! Tubo cannot! Dashi also cannot!"

  The tone of this sentence is a bit high, but it's full of grandeur!

  What great Tang man does not have grand passion?

  Li Linfu's several bodyguards told Li Changgu a few words that made him raise his head and stick out his chest.

  Li Linfu smoothed his clothes, sat more steadily and gently clapped his hands: "Well said! The men of Great Tang have a heroic spirit and ambition! It is precisely because the men of Great Tang have such a strong will that the Turks, Tuyuhun, Goguryeo, Khitan, Tubo, Dashi... are no match!"

  Although he is a treacherous minister, he is also a treacherous minister of the Tang Dynasty and will be proud for the Tang Dynasty.

  "This time in the southern expedition, we captured a lot of spoils. The vice commander-in-chief selected some precious items for the commander-in-chief. Li Changguo's report to the emperor this time was secondary, and what was most important was that he had obtained reinforcements. To achieve this goal, Gao Xianzhi racked his brains and prepared many gifts."

  Li Linfu, as the Anxi Da Duhu, would certainly not be without this gift.

  "Present it." As the prime minister, Li Linfu was extremely wealthy and there were few people in the world who could compare to him. Ordinary gold, silver, and treasures were nothing but dirt in his eyes. However, the spoils of war from the Tang army's southern expedition were a different matter altogether, as they held a completely different significance.

  Kangde and others couldn't help but come in, with Li Linfu's personal bodyguards carrying the boxes in, placing them on the ground, opening one box after another, revealing large pearls from Dahe, tortoiseshell from Persia, Kunshan jade from the Western Regions... dazzling to the eye, too numerous to count, shining brightly, leaving people breathless.

  Li Linfu just took a glance and then lost interest in looking again.

  These things are abundant for him; as long as he is willing, he can sleep on pearls.

  "Your Excellency, this time in the southern expedition, we captured a batch of large curved knives with exceptional sharpness. The deputy capital protector specially selected one for you, I don't know if Your Excellency likes it?" Li Changguo stepped forward and loudly reported.

  "Ah!" Li Linfu's eyebrows rose, showing great interest, and he said: "I've long heard that the curved knife is exceptionally sharp, not to mention luxurious, adorned with pearls. Bring it out."

  Of course, Li Changguo could not present it to Li Linfu himself, and had his bodyguard do the task instead.

  Li Linfu grasped it in his hand, drew the knife out of its scabbard, and saw that the blade shone brightly, extremely sharp. What was even more precious was that the hilt was adorned with pearls, extremely valuable.

  With a flick of his wrist, a high-flying knife flower flashed into view. From Li Changguo's discerning eye, Li Linfu's knife skills were quite impressive. This was no surprise, for in the Great Tang Dynasty, which was founded on martial prowess, what man did not practice martial arts?

  "Ha ha!" Li Linfu's face, which was normally expressionless, finally broke into a smile. He examined the curved knife from left to right, clearly delighted. "Gao Xianzhi is a thoughtful person," he said. "He did this precisely because he wants me, the Anxi Da Du Hu, to send more reinforcements. Hmm, you take Su Shi and the Tubo princess to the Ministry of War."

  It can be seen that Li Linfu is very concerned about it.

  Li Linfu, in order to consolidate his own power and maintain his position, would stop at nothing. He was particularly skilled at secretly plotting against others while pretending to be friendly on the surface. Compared to achieving great merits, these tactics were inferior, not to mention that he had already achieved a great victory in the Western Regions. He could have easily claimed some undeserved military merit, so why wouldn't he?

  Li Changguo's borrowing of power was very successful.

  Li Changguo bid farewell and left, going to the Ministry of War to hand over Su Shi's defeat and the Tibetan princess, and the matter of reporting the victory was settled.

  As soon as the matter was settled, Li Bai shouted that he wanted to go find Du Fu, and Li Changguo followed him enthusiastically.

  Having met the Poet Immortal, if he were to meet the Poet Sage as well, it would be a great blessing in life. Li Changguo was eagerly looking forward to meeting Du Fu.

  However, they searched for Du Fu's whereabouts for several days in a row but couldn't find him anywhere.

  Li Bai's original optimism no longer exists, and his heart is heavy.

  "Du Fu's days must be difficult!" Li Changguo secretly worried about Du Fu.