Chapter 21: It Was You! (Third Update, Seeking Recommendations)

  "Li Hanlin, would you write an article? Why are you always making excuses?"

  Gao Meiuli pouted her small mouth, very dissatisfied, blaming Li Bai.

  Li Changguo had his heart set on staying in Chang'an, but for now, there was no way to do so. Gao Xianzhi had given him many gifts, and he had sent some out, but there was little response. It was likely that after this audience with the Emperor, he would have to return to the Anxi Protectorate. If that were the case, his plans would come to nothing. After much thought, he decided to ask Li Bai for help in writing a memorial.

  With Li Bai's great talent, writing a memorial would be easy. Taking advantage of the opportunity to meet the emperor, he could submit it and perhaps achieve his goal, staying in Chang'an. Who would have thought that Li Bai always found excuses to shirk responsibility.

  As for Li Changguo staying in Chang'an, Gao Meili was very enthusiastic about it, she couldn't be more eager.

  "Haha!" Li Bai was about to speak but hesitated, thought for a moment, and said: "Gao Niang, it's not that I don't want to help Xiao Yu School Lieutenant, but there's no need."

  "Isn't it necessary? How many times have you said that already?" Gaomiuli's mouth pouted even higher.

  "Li Hanlin, I'm also curious, what's the reason that makes you unwilling to write?" Li Changguo rubbed his forehead, very puzzled.

  Based on his understanding of Li Bai, Li Bai is the kind of person who would gladly lend a helping hand to his friends, and he would certainly be willing to help with such matters. However, it turns out that he always finds excuses to shirk responsibility.

  "This... you will know when the time comes." Li Bai murmured, saying: "Don't ask! It won't be good if it's said!"

  It was really impossible to get a clear answer, so Li Changguo had no choice but to give up and hurry to the Daming Palace to prepare for an audience.

  The Daming Palace is located in the northeast of Chang'an, with a circumference of 7.6 kilometers and an area of about 3.2 square kilometers. It was the political center of the Tang Dynasty, and the imperial edicts and military orders of the Great Tang Empire were issued from here, spreading throughout the country and influencing the course of world history.

  The palace walls are majestic, the city is high and thick, with a magnificent atmosphere, Li Changguo couldn't help but praise it as good.

  Li Changguo entered from the south-central Danfeng Gate, and when he arrived here, he saw a team of Longwu Army guarding the palace gate, with strict defense, not even a fly could fly in.

  Longwu Army, the elite troops of the Tang Dynasty, were carefully selected from thousands of soldiers. This was the most powerful army in the Tang Dynasty, with each soldier having a strong and sturdy physique, standing like a wooden stake, giving off an aura of being unshakeable.

  Li Changguo had seen many elite troops, and the Anxi Protectorate and Wang Zhongsi's forces were all elite troops of the Tang Dynasty, but compared to the Longwu Army, there was still a significant gap.

  This gap is reflected in two aspects, one is equipment and the other is the quality of soldiers. The Longwu Army was selected from thousands of people, and only the strong were chosen, so the quality of these soldiers must be much higher than that of the elite troops of Anxi Duhu Fu. Moreover, the Longwu Army was equipped with uniform Mingguang armor, which was far beyond what the elite troops of Anxi Duhu Fu could match.

  "Excellent! You're indeed worthy of being a Dragon Warrior!"

  Li Changguo couldn't help but praise him.

  "I am Li Changguo, the bold and brave Xiayong Xiaowei of the Anxi Duhufu, envoy to report the victory. I have come to pay my respects by imperial order!" Li Changguo stepped forward, explained his purpose, took out the document and handed it over.

  "Are you Li Changguo the brave?" The lieutenant of the Dragon Martial Army was astonished, and gave him a good once-over.

  "Do you know me?" Li Changguo was somewhat surprised. As a captain like him, there were as many in the Tang army as the sands of the Yellow River, too numerous to count.

  "News of your bravery in the Battle of Small Bo had already spread, how could we not know about you? It's said that you have the courage of Qin Qiong and Wei Chi Gong, I didn't expect to see you today, it's truly a fortunate encounter for three lifetimes." The Dragon Martial Army Lieutenant spoke with great praise to Li Changguo, smiling: "Brave Lieutenant, please!"

  Heroes respect heroes, and great men cherish great men. Every member of the Dragon Martial Army is a hero, so it's only natural for the company commanders to show them extra respect.

  "Thank you!"

  Li Changguo thanked him and strode into Danfeng Gate.

  The palace wall was thick and reached over ten zhang. Li Changguo quickly passed through the palace wall and entered the Great Ming Palace, taking a glance around, he was shocked beyond words!

  Not for anything else, but because the palaces in the Great Ming Palace are connected, with a grand and majestic atmosphere, everywhere revealing the boundless spirit of the Tang Dynasty, this is Li Changguo's first shock in his life!

  A magnificent palace stands right in front of us, with an extraordinary atmosphere, majestic and grand, making people feel amazed, this is the famous Hanyuan Hall.

  The Taiyuan Hall is the front hall of the Daming Palace, where court meetings were held and important matters were discussed. The vast majority of military orders and political decrees of the Tang Empire were issued from here, its importance goes without saying.

  "Thousands of officials look up to Chang'an, ten thousand countries pay homage to Hanyuan", which is a true portrayal of the prosperous scene of Hanyuan Hall.

  Li Changguo was going to the Linde Hall, which is the largest separate palace in the inner court, where the Tang emperor held banquets, watched dance music, and received envoys.

  Linde Hall occupies a vast area, with intricate carvings and paintings on its beams and pillars, presenting a majestic sight that leaves people in awe.

  Li Changguo arrived here and was met by eunuchs who were already on guard. They asked, "Are you the valiant Li Changguo?"

  "Exactly!" Li Changguo nodded.

  "Follow me!" The eunuch gave Li Changguo a once-over and said, "His Majesty is waiting for you."

  "Are you waiting for me?" Li Changguo was somewhat surprised.

  From the eunuch's tone, Li Changguo heard that Li Longji was specially waiting for him. This is a great honor, and being able to make the emperor wait is an honorable thing for anyone.

  The question is why Li Longji waited specifically for someone like Li Changguo, a minor military officer who was one of many in the Tang Dynasty.

  In the Linde Hall, Li Longji wore imperial robes and a crown on his head, sitting upright on the throne, with an extraordinary aura that made people dare not look up at him.

  Gao Lishi stood quietly beside Li Longji, saying nothing, but his eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he glanced at Li Longji.

  "Gao Lishi, are you wondering why I specifically waited for this Li Changguo?"

  Li Longji and Gao Lishi had been together for decades, if we set aside the monarch-subject relationship, the two were considered close friends. Li Longji was very familiar with Gao Lishi and said: "Gao Xianzhi highly praised this Li Changguo in his memorial, saying that he has the bravery of a thousand men, his courage is not inferior to Qin Qiong or Wei Guang. What's even more valuable is that this man has great strategic thinking, with both bravery and strategy."

  Pausing slightly at this point, he continued: "It has always been the case that those who are brave lack strategy, and those who have strategy lack bravery, which is a pity! Those who possess both bravery and strategy are rarely found; this Li Changguo is both brave and strategic, making him truly exceptional."

  Rubbing his forehead, he nodded slightly and said: "Gao Xianzhi is a young talent, and at a young age, he was in the same rank as his father Gao Shiji, which is a great story. And he relied on his own ability to accumulate and promote, not relying on his family's luck, which is very rare. His vision is extremely high, and it's hard for anyone to enter his eyes, this is the first time I've seen him praise someone so much, I'm quite curious, what kind of person is Li Changguo?"

  "Your Majesty, you are thinking of that young man again, aren't you?" Gao Lishi was very familiar with Li Longji's thoughts.

  "Hmm!" Li Longji nodded heavily, praising without end, saying: "That young man is not bad, very good! He has a broad and distant vision, and is also humble. Such young people are rare."

  "Your Majesty asked him his name and surname, but he didn't say, yet had some arrogant air." Gao Lishi was somewhat displeased.

  "Haha!" Li Longji laughed with great delight and said, "Gao Lishi, you are wrong! This is exactly what I appreciate the most!"

  "Your Majesty, Li Changguo, a brave and fierce officer of the Anxi Protectorate, requests an audience!"

  Just then, the eunuch's sharp voice rang out.

  "Call him in!" Li Longji's eyes widened, staring at the door, with some expectation, ready to take a good look at what Li Changguo looked like.

  Suddenly, a tall and handsome young man strode in quickly, with an extraordinary air about him, exuding a powerful presence.

  "So it was you!"

  Li Longji's eyes suddenly widened, staring at Li Changguo in disbelief.