Chapter 22: Emperor Xuanzong Asks for Advice (First Watch)

  Li Longji is a man of great prestige, having experienced many storms throughout his life. It's hard to surprise him with trivial matters, and he can be said to be unflappable, but the current situation is just too coincidental, making one wonder if it's all just a dream.

  The young man who left a deep impression on him, making him praise without stopping, and determined to attack the Stone Fortress City was Li Changguo. Moreover, he had been waiting for Li Changguo all along, not only did he wait for Li Changguo, but also waited for the young man he admired very much, it's impossible for him not to be surprised.

  Not only was Li Longji surprised, but also Gao Lishi, who had some reservations about Li Changgui, was also shocked. His eyes were wide open and his mouth was round enough to hold a sea bowl.

  Li Changguo was equally shocked, he absolutely did not expect that the old man he met at Qujiangchi would actually be the true monarch of today.

  "Am I dreaming?" Li Changguo muttered.

  Suddenly, Li Changguo was enlightened and realized that it was no wonder Li Bai didn't help him write the memorial to the throne. It turned out that Li Bai had made a huge joke with him. The impression of Li Changguo in Li Longji's mind was extremely good, as long as Li Longji saw Li Changguo, the possibility of releasing Li Changguo back to Anxi Duhu Fu was very low, and it was no longer necessary to write the memorial.

  "Hello young people, we meet again!"

  Li Longji's mood was very good, and he nodded his head with a smile at Li Changguo.

  On that day, Li Changguo left an indelible impression on him, and Li Longji had a very good impression of Li Changguo.

  It's no wonder that whether to send troops to attack Shigebu City, the court debated endlessly and couldn't come to a conclusion. Even Li Longji, who was known for his cleverness, couldn't make up his mind. Who would have thought that this difficult problem that had stumped so many ministers could be solved by Li Changguo in just a few words? This made Li Longji determined to attack Shigebu City and left a deep impression on him of Li Changguo.

  Not to mention that when Li Longji asked Li Changguo's name at the time, Li Changguo did not give his full name, which made Li Longji even more appreciative.

  Although Li Changguo did not know that the person he was talking to was the true monarch of today, he knew that he had met a very powerful nobleman, which was a stepping stone for advancement that he had been longing for. If it were someone else, they would not only introduce themselves by name, but also try every means to flatter and please him, hoping to gain his favor and rise to prominence from then on.

  Li Changguo refused, which made Li Longji appreciate him even more. This shows that Li Changguo is not a person who is blinded by power and can maintain his integrity, which is truly rare.

  This is what Li Longji admired most about Li Changgui, for people with talent are not rare, but those who can maintain their integrity and restrain their desires are few.

  "Anxi Duhu Fu Xiong Yong Xiao Wei......" Li Changguo was about to pay his respects, but was stopped by Li Longji.

  "It's all right, it's all right!" Li Longji had a warm smile on his face, beckoning to Li Changguo, saying: "These empty formalities are not necessary! Come quickly, come quickly, hurry over!"

  Look at his demeanor, it's not a meeting between monarch and subject, but rather an elder seeing a younger generation.

  Li Changguo knew his place and after exchanging formal greetings, he quickly stepped aside, which earned him even more praise from Li Longji.

  Gao Lishi nodded slightly in approval, and his slight dissatisfaction with Li Changguo vanished.

  Li Changguo stood one zhang away from Li Longji, who looked him up and down with wide eyes, burst out laughing, and turned to Gao Lishi: "Gao Lishi, the young man you wanted to resolve my doubts is actually the brave lieutenant of the Anxi Protectorate?"

  "Your Majesty could hardly have thought of it; how could I have dared to?" Gao Lishi was cautious and careful all his life, never stealing the limelight from Emperor Xuanzong.

  Li Changguo took a look at Gao Lishi and said, "Isn't this the old man who didn't need to be summoned that day?"

  "Take a seat!" Li Longji smiled and measured Li Changguo with his eyes, waving his right hand with great authority.

  Being allowed to sit in the presence of Li Longji at their first meeting was an unprecedented honor, one that rarely occurred even after decades of his imperial career.

  Gao Lishi's eyes flashed with surprise as he personally brought over a brocade cushion.

  Li Changguo thanked him and sat down.

  "Li Changguo, you and the Anxi Protectorate have done a great job in this battle, demonstrating the prestige of the Tang Dynasty and cutting off the Tibetans' passage into the Western Regions. From now on, the Anxi Protectorate will no longer have to worry about its rear.

  Li Longji's smile faded, his face turned solemn, and the majesty of the Son of Heaven was revealed: "Since the rebellion of Small Baluch, the Tang Dynasty has sent troops to conquer the south several times but failed. This time, you finally succeeded, which is a joyous occasion! The Onion Mountains are full of treacherous terrain and raging waters. Marching through the Onion Mountains must have been extremely difficult for you. You must have paid a considerable price for your success. Hmm, tell me about it in detail."

  Li Longji was disgusted with politics, but he was still shrewd and deeply aware of the difficulties of marching in the onion range.

  Li Changguo responded with a sound, slightly hesitated for a moment, and began to tell Li Longji about the course of the Small Boluo Battle.

  In this war, the greatest enemy of the Tang army was not Tubo, nor was it small Boerlu, but the treacherous mountains and rivers of Congling. Li Changguo told them in detail, which was very moving, and Li Longji was shocked as if he were there in person.

  Especially when Li Changguo talked about flying over the icy river, Li Longji couldn't help but exclaim. The icy river was really too dangerous, and although he had only heard about it, Li Longji's heart still skipped a beat.

  "Ha! The great Tang has many brave warriors! Although the icy river is treacherous, it cannot stop the advancing footsteps of the great Tang warriors!" Li Longji suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, like a sharp sword, majestic and powerful, as if swallowing mountains and rivers: "The Arabs do not understand this point, thinking that by increasing military aid to Tibet, they can hold back the Tang. What a joke! The Arabs will see the arrival of the great Tang!"

  At this moment, Li Longji gives people a sense of grandeur like a mountain, unshakeable. Li Changguo watched with great emotion, and although Li Longji was both praised and criticized, and later generations had many criticisms of him, he had to admit that he was indeed an extraordinary hero. Not to mention other things, just this air of dignity is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

  "Li Changguo, from that day on at Qujiangchi, you solved a great problem for me, my decision is made, troops will be sent to Shigubao City!" Li Longji's eyes shone with radiance.

  "Ah!"

  Li Changguo's trip to Beijing this time, prompting the Tang Dynasty to send troops to attack Shigubao City was one of his important tasks, and now it has finally been completed, he can't help but put down his mind.

  Attacking Shigubao City was actually something he had brought about himself, although it was unintentionally accomplished, after all, it was still his own doing, Li Changguo felt quite proud.

  "The Shí Bǎo Castle is easy to defend but hard to attack. I have made up my mind, even if it means sacrificing 180,000 troops, I won't regret it. But if we can reduce casualties, that would be for the better." Li Longji suddenly stared at Li Changguo and smiled: "Li Changguo, you convinced me to send troops to Shí Bǎo Castle, can you come up with another plan to reduce casualties?"

  The Shiyuan City is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Geshu Han attacked the city of Shiyuan, with heavy casualties, tens of thousands of people died or injured, only then succeeded, which made later generations very much criticize and blame Li Longji for being overly ambitious.

  If it can reduce casualties and fewer deaths, this is a great merit. As an emperor, being able to consider this point is extremely rare.

  The problem is, handing this matter over to Li Changguo was truly unexpected, and Li Changguo couldn't help but be taken aback.

  However, thinking back, Li Longji asking such a question indicates that Li Changguo holds significant weight in his mind.