A cruel fact is that after the end of the Kaiyuan Dynasty, Li Longji changed the military system of the Tang Dynasty and divided the Tang Dynasty into ten military towns, each with a military envoy. The ten military towns were overpopulated with troops, with a total force of about 500,000.

In Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, although the famous "Twelve Guards of Chang'an" guarded the capital, the total strength of the twelve guards was only 80,000.

I don’t know where Li Longji got his self-confidence from. He always felt that after creating the prosperous Kaiyuan era, the capital of the Tang Dynasty was impregnable. People in the world had food to eat and clothes to wear, so how could they rebel? Since there would be no rebellion, why does Chang’an need so much?

The troops are defending and wasting food. Why not send all these troops to the border towns and let them guard the borders and open up new territories for the country? Isn't it much better than sitting idle in Chang'an and wasting food?

Li Longji probably had this idea, so Chang'an's total military strength was only 80,000.

It wasn't until An Lushan's rebellion that Li Longji finally became aware of this fatal problem.

The rebels have crossed the Yellow River and are obviously heading for Chang'an. Chang'an is the capital of the Tang Dynasty. If the capital falls into the hands of the rebels, the people of the world will lose their hearts. With false rumors spread, people may think that the Tang Dynasty is dead.

Guo Ziyi's advice is very reasonable. We must immediately mobilize troops to serve the king and defend Chang'an, otherwise the problem will be huge.

"An Lushan has stolen three of the ten great military governors of the Tang Dynasty. Among the remaining seven military governors, I wonder if there are any diligent kings..." Li Longji looked defeated and sighed sadly: "Jiedu Envoy Jiu Mutian

Yes, but the emperor is in trouble, how many people can know how to repay the kindness?"

Guo Ziyi said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I thought that except for the traitors in Anlu Mountain, all the other governors of the Tang Dynasty were loyal to the Tang Dynasty and to Your Majesty. An Lushan raised an army suddenly and the rebels advanced too fast. Your Majesty should hurry up and

Make a decision, otherwise Chang'an is in danger of being captured by the rebels."

The mature and prudent Chen Xilie also said: "The news of An Lushan's rebellion against the Tang Dynasty has spread throughout Chang'an. The people of Chang'an are in panic. The eyes of the whole world are fixed on Your Majesty. I ask Your Majesty to cheer up and show the same momentum as when you broke into the palace to kill Wei Ni."

, wipe out the rebels outside Chang'an City."

Li Longji was full of fear and uneasiness. He was betrayed by his most trusted ministers at an old age. The emperor's morale had been completely exhausted. Now he was disheartened. After a few words of comfort from the two veteran ministers, Li Longji finally cheered up.

No matter how old he is, no matter how disheartened he is, the country left by his ancestors cannot be thrown away, and he, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, cannot be depressed. The emperor who created a prosperous age with his own hands, if he suddenly becomes a subjugated king in his later years, it will be written down in the history of history.

He will be scolded and laughed at by future generations for thousands of years.

"The two Qings are right. I must cheer up. Gao Lishi sent an order to all the major military envoys, ordering them to use all their troops and horses to rush to Chang'an to rescue King Qin, especially Longyou and Hexi, which are closest to Chang'an.

The two major festival officials ordered them to quickly return their troops to Beijing without any delay."

Gao Lishi bowed and accepted the order.

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Li Longji said again: "Guozhong, how much grain and grass are left in the Chang'an treasury and the official warehouses in various places? Can you give a detailed account?"

Yang Guozhong said: "There is not much left in the national treasury, but it can support 200,000 troops and horses for March. During this period, we urgently allocate grain and grass from the official warehouses of Gyeonggi Province, Shannan Province, Jiangnan Province, Huainan Province, etc.

The Grand Canal is transported to Chang'an. If Chang'an can hold on for three months, it will be enough time. If the grain and grass from various official warehouses arrive, it will be enough to support the 400,000-strong army for a year."

Li Longji calmed down and nodded slowly.

After all, the prosperous age created by one's own hands has its merits. The world is relatively rich in food, and the court has the confidence to support a war. This is the foundation of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Chen Xilie added: "I think that Your Majesty should also issue a notice to calm the people, and spread it to all the states in the world, detailing the crimes of thieves, and clearly telling the people of the world not to join the thieves and rebel, and to eliminate the thieves and support the Tang Dynasty.

Also, a strict order was issued to prohibit merchants from raising food prices, and anyone who raised food prices without permission was immediately executed, and the three tribes were in a row."

Li Longji nodded and adopted Guo Ziyi and Chen Xilie's suggestions.

Guo Ziyi said again: "Your Majesty has sent an order to all the military towns in various states to march to King Qin of Chang'an, but we cannot fully count on them. If An's troops advance so fast, they may not be able to wait for King Qin's army. The old minister thought that they could recruit civilians and peasants near Chang'an on the spot.

The merchants are young and strong, and they have formed a united force to cope with the great change. Chang'an's arsenal has enough weapons, and the local recruits have been trained for a month and a half to barely use them. In short, when the matter is urgent, everything should be handled according to authority, and the defense of Chang'an City should be the first priority at any cost."

Li Longji said slowly: "What you said is very good, and I agree with it."

After a pause, Li Longji suddenly showed a sad look and said: "I have made a lot of confusions in these years, the biggest confusion is that I mistakenly believed in Anlu Mountain. This is all my fault, which has caused disaster to the country and the country."

Mengchen, I feel sorry for my ancestors and the people of the world. If I can successfully overcome this disaster, I will fast and bathe, go to the Ancestral Temple to plead guilty, and from now on I will be a wise king who accepts advice and words."

"At this time of poverty and adversity, I am fortunate to have you all not abandon me. I would like to thank you all here. I will quell the rebellion in the future. I will thank you generously."

Yang Guozhong and others were moved and stood up to salute: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

The ministers dispersed and prepared to fight against An Lushan's rebels. Li Longji sat alone in the palace, thinking about how he had been wise half his life and foolish half his life, and ended up in this difficult situation. He also thought about An Lushan's betrayal of him, and after all, he had wrongfully paid his favor for many years.

, Li Longji was even more embarrassed and angry, with all kinds of emotions rushing into his heart.

Thinking about it, Li Longji shed tears.

When a person reaches poverty, he suddenly becomes sober. Looking back at the mistakes he made over the years, he can't help but be ashamed and angry. He feels even more confused about the future.

Can a twilight old man who is almost seventy years old still be as proud as before and face all adversities calmly?

Regardless of physical strength, wisdom, mood and current situation, they are completely different from those of the past. Li Longji really felt desperate this time.

Gao Lishi walked gently into the palace, stood next to Li Longji and comforted him warmly: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the thieves are just a common disease, there is nothing to worry about. The orthodoxy in the world is still Li Tang, and no one can take this away."

If you leave, you are a thief and a clown, trying to challenge the power of God, and you will eventually be laughed at by the world."

Li Longji wiped away his tears and sighed solemnly: "I... just feel that I am really old. I can no longer ride a war horse, carry a halberd, and fight with the soldiers in the north and south. I originally thought that the Tang Dynasty was here.

My rule will last for eternity, and it will last for generations. Only when I reach my old age will I realize how ridiculous this idea is..."

"I should have left a mark in the history books, but I hate Anlushan. A rebellion completely ruined my reputation after my death. Future generations will open the history books and see what should happen to the Tang Dynasty under my rule.

Do you praise me for creating a prosperous age, or do you accuse me of being blind-sighted, mistaking me for being a treacherous person, and causing chaos in the world?"

"Isn't it ridiculous that the prosperous age came from me and passed away from me? It's like a big dream in life."

Gao Lishi's eyes filled with tears and he choked with sobs: "Old slave, I beg your Majesty not to say any depressing words. Your Majesty, you are facing a formidable enemy, so you should cheer up."

Li Longji closed his eyes for a while, and regained clarity when he opened them.

"Most of the soldiers and horses in the world are in the hands of Jiedushi. How many of the remaining seven Jiedushi do you think will raise troops to serve the king?"

Gao Lishi said without hesitation: "If the seven Jiedu envoys heard that Chang'an was in danger, they would definitely send troops to rescue it. They are all loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Longji smiled sarcastically: "Loyal minister? At this time and here, do I still dare to believe the word 'loyal minister'?"

Gao Lishi was stunned and lowered his head, not daring to reply.

Li Longji suddenly said again: "The governor of Anxi is the farthest away from Chang'an. Is Pei Zhounan still leading the army now?"

"Yes, after Gu Qing was transferred back to Chang'an by His Majesty, he ordered Pei Zhounan to temporarily lead the Anxi Festival."

Li Longji frowned: "Pei Zhounan's temporary leadership of the Jiedu Envoy is just a temporary measure. How can a pedantic scholar lead an army? At this critical moment, it is not appropriate for Pei Zhounan to lead the Anxi Army, otherwise there may be chaos."

"Your Majesty means..."

Gu Qing's unhappy face appeared in Li Longji's mind involuntarily.

The reason why Gu Qing was transferred back to Chang'an was because Li Longji was worried about him. Gu Qing was too capable of getting into trouble and had no laws. He killed the people sent by Li Longji at will, which was simply a provocation to the imperial power. A border general with a heavy army.

Making such a move was a very dangerous signal to the emperor, so he had to be transferred back to Chang'an.

However, this time and that time.

Now that the Tang Dynasty is in chaos and Chang'an is in danger, Li Longji knows very well that Pei Zhounan, a scholar, cannot control the Anxi Army. If he wants to transfer the Anxi Army back to the Yumen Pass Internal Service King, he must first replace him with a man who is both wise and brave, and who can control the army with prestige.

A general with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, so who should replace Pei Zhounan as the governor of Anxi?

Li Longji hesitated and pondered for a long time, still not deciding on the candidate.

Seeing Li Longji's hesitation, Gao Lishi said cautiously: "Your Majesty, if Pei Zhounan cannot lead the Anxi army, why not let Gu Qing continue to serve as the governor of Anxi. Gu Qing has been in Anxi for three years. The Anxi army and Gu Qing know each other's basics, and the generals know the soldiers and the soldiers.

Knowing the general, Gu Qing does not need to get along with the generals when he takes office. He can immediately lead the army to put down the rebellion..."

Gao Lishi observed Li Longji's face as he spoke. Seeing that there was no change in his expression, Gao Lishi continued: "Gu Qing's loyalty to His Majesty must be no problem... He had a heavy army at the beginning, and His Majesty issued an order to let him

When he came back, he drove back to Chang'an decisively without any delay. Obviously, he had no intention of supporting the army and respecting himself. This son may often get into trouble, but he is guilty of small details and does not neglect the righteousness. His Majesty holds it in his hand, and it is also a sharp weapon.

"

Li Longji fell into deep thought.

Gu Qing is indeed a sharp weapon, and he does seem to be a loyal minister at present, but Li Longji always has some doubts for some reason. This time Gu Qing returned to Chang'an from Anxi, and Li Longji saw him once, and that side was clearly visible

Gu Qing was different from back then, with confidence exuding from his brows and a hint of tyranny.

Tigers and wolves eat the blood of their enemies, but how can they live in caves and dens? If they have the strength of tigers and wolves, they must have the heart of tigers and wolves.

Li Longji closed his eyes and thought for a long time, still undecided.

After a long time, Li Longji suddenly asked: "What has Gu Qing done in Chang'an these days?"

Gao Lishi said with shame: "The old slave and Your Majesty returned to Chang'an this morning, and there was no time to inquire."

Just as he was talking, the eunuch outside the palace reported that Princess Yuzhen asked to see her.

Li Longji was startled when he heard the memorial, hesitated for a moment, and announced his intention.
Chapter completed!