Chapter 20: Facing the Emperor (Second Update, Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

  Wang Zhongxi was the number one general at that time, the first strategist, with the talent of Wei Huo, brave and good at fighting. Throughout his life, he fought in dozens of battles, big and small, without a single defeat, and can be said to be an invincible general, with a reputation outside.

  What is even more rare is that he is Li Longji's adopted son, a famous general who was personally trained by Li Longji, and can be said to be Li Longji's darling, extremely favored.

  The old man unexpectedly used him as a foil and lavishly praised Li Changguo, which was an unparalleled praise!

  Even if one were to use all the water in the Yangtze River and the four seas to grind ink, and write out all the words of praise, it would still be insufficient to express this sentiment!

  Li Changguo never thought that the old man would praise him so much, and he was taken aback.

  The old man's face was shocked, as if he didn't believe his ears, and he pulled his ear with his hand, feeling pain, only then did he believe it was true.

  Those three sturdy guards, who were as still as stone Buddhas, also had a look of astonishment on their faces, with piercing eyes, sizing up Li Changguo, with an expression of admiration, as if the old man was praising them.

  "Old General, are you saying...” Li Changguo was dissatisfied with Wang Zhongxi's refusal to send troops to attack Shigubao City, but he knew his abilities, and that was a true general who had fought his way up, and everyone had to admit it. He didn't quite agree with the old man's words.

  "No matter!" The old man waved his hand magnanimously, his demeanor suddenly dignified, and smiled as he sized up Li Changguo, nodding heavily: "You young man are quite all right, very all right! You have astonishing insights, yet you're so humble, rare indeed, rare indeed! Young man, may I know your name?"

  A warm and friendly smile, instantly revealing infinite charm, making people feel close.

  "I..." He didn't mind telling him his name, but Li Changguo thought for a moment that he wouldn't have any further dealings with this old man, so there was no need to tell him his name. "Since we've met, it's fate; what's the need for names?"

  "Since we've met, it's fate, what need is there for names?" The old man was stunned again, savoring Li Changguo's words, and praised: "Reasonable! Reasonable! One conversation with you surpasses a thousand articles, I bid farewell."

  The old man rushed to Li Changguo with a fist, turned around and walked quickly away. After walking three or five steps, he stopped again, turned around, smiled apologetically at Li Changguo, and said: "Young man, as you say, meeting is fate, so I won't ask your name either. This jade, I'll give it to you, consider it a keepsake."

  As he spoke, he pulled out a beautiful jade from his bosom, emitting soft and elegant light, exquisitely crafted, and at a glance, it was clear that this was a treasure among treasures.

  The old man was taken aback, his mouth opened as if to remind him, but the old man waved his hand to stop him, so he didn't speak again. The old man looked at Li Changguo with a face full of admiration, as if he couldn't wait for the old man to give him the jade.

  "Old fellow, this jade is too valuable, I don't dare to accept it." Li Changguo's eyes were not bad, and with the expression of the old man who didn't need to say anything, he knew that this jade was extraordinary and extremely valuable.

  "This jade has been with me for some years, and now it's fortunate to have a young talent like you as its master. Take it!" The old man was very enthusiastic, without saying anything else, he stuffed the jade into Li Changguo's hand, waved at him, turned around and quickly walked away.

  The old man and three guards followed closely behind.

  "Haha!"

  The old man's hearty laughter echoed far away, and he walked with an unusually light step, as if floating, and soon disappeared from sight.

  Until the old man disappeared from view, Li Changguo finally withdrew his gaze and examined the jade in his hand, which was exceptionally warm and smooth to the touch, evoking a strange and wonderful feeling deep within him.

  "This jade is worth a city!" Gao Miaoli's beautiful eyes sparkled as she gazed at the jade, her slender eyebrows curved like crescent moons: "This old man is not simple."

  "In Chang'an, there are many people who are not simple!" Li Changguo shook his head and was about to put the jade away when he heard Li Bai's surprised voice: "Who gave you this jade?"

  Li Changguo looked up and saw Li Bai standing beside him, his eyes shining brightly as he stared intently at the jade.

  "It's like this..." Li Changguo explained the situation just now.

  "You... take care." Li Bai's expression was as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

  "Do you know who that old man is?" Li Changguo's mind stirred.

  "You'll know it yourself someday!" Li Bai didn't want to get entangled in this matter anymore and changed the subject.

  Li Bai refused to say who it was and no one could persuade him otherwise. Li Changguo tried several times but failed, so he had to give up.

  Li Changguo's words had a great impact on Li Bai, and after some time of contemplation, Li Bai's emotions had recovered. However, Li Changguo discovered that Li Bai had undergone a noticeable change, becoming more affable in his interactions with others.

  This is a good phenomenon, as long as it takes time, Li Bai will inevitably change.

  The three of them continued their tour until they were satisfied and then returned.

  Back at Gao Meili's house, Li Changguo was preparing for his imperial audience.

  Li Changguo was the messenger of the Anxi Protectorate, and it was necessary for him to meet with Li Longji. This was a good thing. However, there was one thing that made Li Changguo feel helpless, which was that he wanted to stay in Chang'an. If he wanted to change the course of the Anshi Rebellion, he had to do something in Chang'an; otherwise, it would be an idle dream.

  However, Li Changguo was not allowed to enter. It's also understandable that people like Li Changguo are numerous in the Tang Dynasty, and they don't have the qualifications to stay in Chang'an.

  XXXXXXXX

  The Great Ming Palace, Linde Hall.

  "Haha!"

  Li Longji laughed with great comfort and joy, his eyebrows curled up like a row of auspicious birds.

  "Your Majesty, what makes you so delighted?"

  An old general with white hair and beard, named Chen Xuanli, rushed to see Li Longji, asking about the origin of the matter.

  These days, Li Longji has been racking his brains over whether or not to send troops to attack Shibo City, unable to make up his mind. It's been a long time since something as delightful as this has happened.

  "Chen Xuanli, I am particularly delighted today. Do you know the reason?" Li Longji surprisingly kept it a secret: "You definitely can't guess."

  Chen Xuanli didn't know why he was so happy, and when he glanced at Gao Lishi beside him, he saw that Gao Lishi was also overjoyed. He became even more puzzled: "Your Majesty, don't tease this old minister's appetite anymore. This old minister's appetite has been teased by Your Majesty to the point of being upside down!"

  "Haha!" Seeing Chen Xuanli's anxious expression, Li Longji was even more delighted and said: "Pass the edict, summon Wang Zhongyi to come to the capital!"

  "Your Majesty, have you made up your mind?" Chen Xuanli had followed Li Longji for decades and was an old man of the Eastern Palace. He knew Li Longji very well. He had been hesitant about whether to attack Shicheng City, and only issued an edict to Wang Zhongsi, ordering him to send troops.

  This time, he wanted to recall Wang Zhongxi and make it clear that Li Longji had made up his mind.

  "I have made up my mind, let's send troops to Shigubao City!" Li Longji was in a good mood, with a flying spirit and a sudden burst of ambition, saying: "Wang Zhongyi has always been unwilling to send troops, although what he said is reasonable, but he didn't see through two points."

  "Your Majesty, which two points?" Chen Xuanli's face was filled with confusion.

  "Firstly, whether attacking Shibo City is worth it; secondly, whether the cost is something the Great Tang can afford to bear."

  Li Longji counted on his fingers, carefully calculating: "Taking down Shigucheng is a good deal, and the price of Datang can be afforded, why not take it? Wang Zhongyi was puzzled by these two points, I want to personally enlighten him."