The Candidate for the Bonfire Banquet
The day before the envoys from the Western Regions arrived.
In the afternoon.
Taiji Palace, Yin Yang Hall.
More than ten military ministers gathered around Li Shimin, discussing the matter of the Western Region's diplomatic mission entering Chang 'an tomorrow.
"Bonfire Banquet?"
Li Shimin frowned and looked at Tang Jian." His so-called secret method is to hold a bonfire party?"”
"…Yes." Tang Jian replied.
The ministers looked at each other.
They all felt like they had been tricked.
"What else did he say?" Li Shi Min asked, his face darkening.
"He said that he prepared a treasure of similar value to the crystal cup," Tang Jian said hesitantly."He also said that as long as the Western Regions diplomatic mission sees the treasure he prepared, they will never ask about the crystal cup again."”
The ministers looked at each other again.
There was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
What treasure?
Li Shi Min's expression softened slightly.
Compared to the others, he knew more.
For example, silver-plated mirrors.
In the past two days, he had specially found the best ceramic craftsman, pointed at the flat mirror, and asked," Can you make it?
The old craftsman looked at the transparent mirror and praised. When he heard Li Shimin's question, he looked at the current emperor as if he was looking at a fool. How could he burn it?
"This kid has some tricks up his sleeves. Perhaps he can really give me a surprise.”
Li Shi Min thought to himself and said,"Don't the tribes of the Western Regions want to see the Great Tang's sincerity in accepting surrender?
I and the Guanyin maidservant have personally attended this bonfire banquet. This is enough to show their sincerity.”
"His Majesty and the Empress are participating?”
The ministers in the hall were all stunned.
Immediately, everyone reacted.
His Majesty was curious about what kind of treasure Gu Hao had prepared!
"When Your Majesty and the Empress attend such a banquet, they cannot be without guards. This subject is willing to be Your Majesty's temporary guard.”Cheng Yaojin said with a smile.
The ministers were speechless.
Everyone was very familiar with Cheng Yaojin and knew what kind of person he was.
Being a guard was fake, but wanting to drink was real.
"This subject is also willing to serve as Your Majesty's guard."
After Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong also spoke.
"As the Minister of Rites, I will definitely accompany the diplomatic mission to the banquet.”Tang Jian said with a smile.
“………”
Soon after, several other ministers spoke up and found an excuse to attend the banquet.
The few who didn't say anything also looked extremely moved.
Obviously, everyone was curious about what kind of treasure Gu Hao would take out at this bonfire banquet.
Seeing this, Li Shiming smiled and said,"We're all going. Aren't we giving this kid too much face?"”
" Hehe, that's easy. We can just get him drunk, strip him naked, and let him walk around Chang 'an."”Yuchi Gong chuckled.
Everyone's faces twitched.
This black general's hobby had always been unique.
Li Shimin ignored Yuchi Gong.
"Minister Tang, go and inform him.”
Li Shi Min said.
"Yes."
After replying, Tang Jian left the Hall of Duality.
Li Shi Min's face turned cold.
"The Turks sent someone to steal the crystal cup, so they definitely have a backup plan.”Li Shi Min said in a deep voice," Shu Bao, you are in charge of welcoming the Western Regions 'diplomatic mission. Make sure that no one else comes into contact with them except our people.”
"Yes." Qin Qiong cupped his hands and replied.
Qin Qiong, also known as Shu Bao, was one of Li Shi Min's most capable generals.
"Your Majesty, are you worried that the Turks will appear with the crystal cup and sow discord?”Fang Xuanling muttered.
"Not bad." Li Shiming nodded and coldly said,"Once this happens, not only will the diplomatic mission of the Western Regions feel that the Great Tang is not sincere, but they will also feel that the Great Tang is inferior to the Turks and can't even protect a crystal cup!"”
All the officials felt a chill in their hearts.
He finally understood the seriousness of the matter.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will mobilize a team of Golden Guards to guard the envoy group throughout the entire process," Qin Qiong said in a deep voice.”
"Actually, there's another situation that needs to be considered in advance.”Du Ruhui said.
"What's going on?" Li Shi Min asked with a frown.
"The crystal cup is already in the Western Regions 'diplomatic mission," said Du Ruhui.”
"Hmm?" Everyone was shocked.
"If that's the case, then it's useless no matter what we do.”Cheng Yaojin muttered.
"Indeed, we can't rule out this possibility.”Li Shi Min said in a deep voice.
Then, he looked at Du Ruhui and asked expectantly,""Keming, do you have any suggestions?"
Du Ruhui said," Although the Wusun Kingdom is the main country that wants to surrender to the Tang Empire, its strength is in the middle among the tribes of the Western Regions that want to surrender to the Tang Empire. It has 120,000 households and 630,000 people.
He could try to rope them in first. We should give up on Wusun and promise great benefits to rope in the envoys of the other tribes.”
"I'm afraid it won't be easy." Fang Xuanling frowned and said," The tribes of the Western Regions are mostly neighbors and speak similar languages. They are far from the Great Tang. Before they left for the Great Tang, they should have already discussed how to advance and retreat together.”
"Even if it's not easy, I have to do it." Li Shi Min said in a deep voice," The situation is still unclear. Let's wait for the Western Regions 'diplomatic mission to arrive first."”
"Maybe the top scholar will solve the problem directly. He made a military pledge." Li Jing smiled.”
“………”
Everyone paused.
If Du Ruhui hadn't mentioned that the crystal cup might have already fallen into the diplomatic mission of the Western Regions, everyone would still have had hope for Gu Hao.
But now…
Even Li Shiming, who knew more about the situation, didn't have much hope for Gu Hao.
After all, if the crystal cup was in the hands of the Turks and appeared in the diplomatic mission of the Western Regions, all the preparations that Gu Hao had made would be useless.
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