The imperial edict from the court finally came down. Many people thought that Li Xiang was impatient to wait. In fact, Li Xiang had plenty of time to wait. There were still many things to do in the north. He took this opportunity to finish them all at once, so as to avoid having to fill any loopholes himself in the future.
After leaving Chang'an City for nearly two years, the emperor finally issued an imperial decree, allowing Li Xiang to return to Chang'an City, which was considered a report to the capital in that era.
Under the protection of Niu Jinda, Li Xiang led his two thousand cavalry and slowly began to march towards the capital. Li Xiang was different from the others. The others were eager to bring their troops back to let their fellow villagers see their power.
But Li Xiang did not have this idea. What Chang'an City needed was not danger, but low-key. Now he was already Li Jue in the eyes of others. If he were to bring so many troops back, I am afraid that many people would not be able to sleep at night, including Li Shimin.
In order to allow these people to sleep and to avoid making too many enemies, Li Xiang set out with two thousand cavalrymen. If he had not been worried that someone might assassinate him, Li Xiang would have thought that only a few dozen people would be enough.
"When I left home, my youngest son was just born. Now he's about to walk. I wonder if he recognizes me as his father."
Niu Jinda thought of his youngest son and a smile appeared on his face. Every time his wife wrote to him, she would describe the little boy's situation clearly. Niu Jinda also wanted to go back to see his son.
"Children generally don't have memories until they're three. Memories before that are very few. Spend more time with them when you go back. They'll definitely be close to you. After we go back this time, we shouldn't leave for the next six months."
Li Xiang thought about his own arrangements. Although he still had to march east to Fuso, he had to make some preparations. Li Xiang had already written a letter to the navy. It would probably take another month and a half for him to come back. After returning to this world, Li Xiang felt that the most inconvenient thing was the letter issue.
Although many improvements have been made using carrier pigeons, the chance of them getting lost is too high. Even with the best trainers, some pigeons will not be able to find their way. Therefore, there are still two ways to write letters. The first way is naturally to rely on pigeons, and the second way is to send people to deliver them.
"What about Gaochang?"
Niu Jinda thought of what was happening in the west. Although Su Dingfang was there, the situation was getting worse and worse. Gaochang had already sent out a large army to suppress the bandits. We also knew that they were doing this for the Tang Dynasty to see, but Gaochang had not experienced war for a long time, and their army's combat effectiveness was too weak.
"There's no immediate result. There's no need to waste our time in a place like that. General Su can already solve the problem there. As for other matters, Lord Zhao isn't one to be trifled with. He'll ensure the best interests for the Tang Dynasty."
Although the Western Regions are important, Li Xiang is not taking it too seriously now. This time when he returns to Chang'an, in addition to reorganizing the forces in his hands, Li Xiang also needs to do some preparatory work. These preparations are all for the eastern expedition to Fuso.
Of course, there is one most important issue, that is, the wedding should be held. Li Xiang had reached the age a long time ago, but because of the war, it was delayed again and again. This time, Li Shimin was unwilling to let Li Xiang return to Chang'an. Li Shimin thought this model was very good. Li Shimin stayed in Chang'an, and Li Xiang was fighting outside, so no one would delay anyone else.
But one thing is imminent, that is, Li Xiang and Miss Cheng are both not young anymore. If they don't arrange their wedding now, and continue to delay, there will be no way to arrange for the younger ones.
All royal matters have to be arranged one by one. This is not the era of free love. If the eldest son does not get married, then the people behind him will have to wait. If you can't wait, you can take a concubine, but if you want to marry a wife, this may not be possible.
Li Xiang was the oldest of his generation. The eldest hadn't even married yet, so how could the younger generation get married first? Therefore, the officials in charge of royal affairs had already submitted a petition, urging His Royal Highness to return home first, even if the fighting on the front lines was intense. After all, continuing the lineage was the most important task for the royal family.
Under such circumstances, Li Xiang submitted another memorial, and Cheng Yaojin also submitted memorials frequently. All the civil and military officials in the court knew about this. If Li Shimin still did not allow Li Xiang to return at this point in time, it would be really unreasonable.
Regarding the Beiting Protectorate, the emperor consulted several people and the court also recommended several people, but in the end he chose the person recommended by Li Xiang.
The reason is simple: the north was conquered by Li Xiang. From the steppes to the northern sea, the entire area is Li Xiang's men. If you don't use his men and only send one official, do you think this official can exert his influence here? It is estimated that by then it will be difficult to move forward.
Although they had lost control of the north, it was at least nominally the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and other officials could be appointed at will. So after much deliberation, Li Shimin agreed to Li Xiang's proposal and let the little-known Huo Tang serve as the Protector General of Beiting.
For Li Xiang, it is not too late to arrange this now. It turns out that because the strength of the major families is too strong, Li Xiang cannot openly confront Li Shimin, which will give the major families an opportunity. Now the major families are licking their wounds, and even some large families have become second-rate families. Li Xiang has to insist on what he should insist on.
In the returned memorial, Li Shimin had some tentative intentions, but Li Xiang still resolutely recommended his own people to let Li Shimin understand that the previous opportunity had passed and now it was time for the two of us to compete. You do hold centralized power, but in this small piece of land on the Xiongnu grassland, I am afraid I still have the final say.
Li Shimin also understood this, so he did not fight with Li Xiang at the last moment. Li Shimin knew that there would be no good results if he continued. He was the king of a country and had no way to appoint local officials. This matter could not be made too big. If it was made too big, it would have a great impact on his authority.
However, Li Shimin also deeply felt that Li Xiang's ambition was expanding without limit. In the next period of time, he had to put a rope around this kid, otherwise the power in his hands would slowly slip away...