Chapter 204: Duke Xing

After Xiao Xin made the decision, he immediately summoned his trusted ministers to announce the news. Naturally, there were people who strongly opposed it, but after Xiao Xin ordered people to hold up a map of the world's terrain, most people nodded.

Although there were still some people who resisted stubbornly in various places, such as Xu Yuanlang, Dou Jiande, Du Fuwei and Li Zitong, the whole world had already been returned to the King of Tang. Even if they joined forces, they would not be able to gain the upper hand, not to mention that they had their own grudges.

Unless there is a civil war within the Li family now, with the King of Han Li Yuan and the King of Tang Li Jiancheng, father and son, going to war with each other, there will be little suspense as to who will rule the world.

Xiao Xin ignored those stubborn fools. Anyway, these people would be the Tang King's concern in the future. He immediately ordered his generals to prepare for war. He wanted to send troops to attack the rear of Li Zitong and Du Fuwei as a token of his surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

At this time in Chang'an City, Li Jiancheng ordered Li Xuanba and Li Yuanji to pick up Li Mi and Wang Shichong who had already entered the pass.

Li Jiancheng personally handled all the surrender letters received from all over the country, and granted official positions based on their military strength, prestige, etc.

For example, Wang Bo, even though he didn't have many soldiers and horses now, he was able to persuade the bandit leaders in Qing, Lai and Mi states to surrender with his reputation, so Li Jiancheng still granted him the title of Pillar of the State.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and others have further improved the official ranks based on the official system of the Sui Dynasty. Li Jiancheng is not in a hurry to make major changes. A stable transition is the most important thing at the moment.

In the Wude Hall, Li Jiancheng said to Xue Ju and his son, "There are still some bandits in Shu, such as Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu. Is the Duke of Fen willing to lead the army to suppress them?"

Xue Ju was very surprised. He didn't expect that he would have the opportunity to lead troops to war so soon. He was prepared to never leave Chang'an in his life.

He immediately said: "Thanks to the Tang king for not abandoning me, I am willing to fight for the king and defeat the rebels. I will definitely defeat the rebels and behead them!"

Li Jiancheng nodded with satisfaction. These surrendered ministers could not be kept in Chang'an forever. If they were suppressed too harshly, they would be more likely to rebel. And rewarding them without reason was not a good thing either. They had to be used properly.

Besides, there is no need to do that. How do you know if they are reliable? The worst that can happen is that they rebel, and we can just go and conquer them.

Holding the two divine swords of Li Jing and Li Shimin, and having already occupied the world, he also expected some ignorant fools to come out and make an example of them.

Li Jiancheng's gaze fell on Xue Rengao behind Xue Ju. The father and son looked very similar, both were tall and strong, but Xue Ju was more domineering in his gestures, while Xue Rengao's expression was more violent.

"Your Highness should cultivate your character. Fighting fiercely on the battlefield is a good thing, but killing prisoners after the war is unlucky and may hurt my life. I hope that your Highness can inherit your father's position and help me in the future."

Xue Rengao bowed and promised, and Xue Ju also said: "I will restrain him and will not make the king worry."

"good."

As soon as the father and son stepped out of the Wude Hall, they ran into Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. After greeting each other, they exchanged a few polite words and then said goodbye.

Fang Du entered the palace to pay his respects. Fang Xuanling asked, "Your Majesty, I think I saw the Tiger Talisman for mobilizing troops in the hands of the Duke of Fen."

"Well, I order the Duke of Fen and his son to march south to attack Liu Wuzhou."

Du Ruhui said, "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Although the Xue father and son took the initiative to surrender, they were established by the emperor after all. If they are released from Chang'an, it will be troublesome if they change their minds." Li Jiancheng asked the eunuch to pass the secret letter to the two of them: "Xiao Xin has also surrendered, and the letter of surrender and congratulations is on the way. In addition, several bandit leaders who have claimed to be the only ones are rushing to Chang'an. In the future, the court will inevitably have people who have been established by the emperor. We can't just abandon them and keep them in high positions and generous salaries. We still have to make the best use of people and things.

Not only Xue Ju, but also Li Mi and Wang Shichong, I will entrust them with military power and let them attack Dou Jiande who refuses to submit. If Du Fuwei and Li Zitong are willing to surrender, I will let the Duke of Zhao lead them to attack Xu Yuanlang.

Those who have different intentions are free to change their minds. Before I ascend the throne and establish a great government, I want to completely eliminate these traitors and villains."

As the calls for Li Jiancheng to ascend the throne grew louder and louder, people all over the world had begun to sincerely pray for a peaceful and prosperous era. People's hearts were settled and their minds were at peace. Such a situation did not make it as easy to rebel as in the past.

The Tang King's facial expression could not be seen clearly under the eleven-tasseled crown. All they could hear was the cold and calm voice coming down from above. His majesty was growing day by day, so they dared not say anything.

"Your Majesty, your coronation ceremony has been prepared. His Majesty has issued an edict today to bestow upon you the Nine Gifts and to wear the Twelve-Taple Crown."

The King of Tang did not say anything. After waiting for a while, Fang Xuanling bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, after the abdication ceremony, what should Your Majesty do? Do you want us to make arrangements early?"

Li Jiancheng said with a smile: "I am not a man who seeks to usurp the throne. The Yang family's immorality has led to the dissolution of the Mandate of Heaven and the end of the country's destiny. I have raised an army of righteousness to resist the Turks, conquered the bandits and pacified the counties, saved the people and established the rule of law. In this way, I will follow the will of Heaven and rule the world. How can I deceive the people of a fallen country? I should treat them well and well.

If there are any capable sons of the Yang family, they can serve as officials or generals, be loyal to the emperor, serve the country, pacify the people, and make up for the absurd and evil deeds of their ancestors that harmed the people. This is what I hope for. "

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui bowed their heads and accepted the order: "Your Majesty's heart is rare in ancient and modern times. We were once subjects of the Sui Dynasty. We should thank you on behalf of Your Majesty."

Soon what the King of Tang said spread throughout Chang'an, and everyone saw the Duke of Fen holding the tiger talisman to inspect the troops, which surprised all those who had surrendered, and then they were overjoyed.

Although Chang'an is a good place, no one is willing to be a rich prisoner here. What they hope to do is to be sent to other places or to go on an expedition to make merit, but no one dares to take the initiative to ask for it.

At the banquet, everyone was praising the courage of the King of Tang. He was worthy of being the peerless hero who could pacify the troubled times in just two or three years, and he was worthy of being the noble son of Guanzhong.

When the emperor heard what the prince of Tang said, he couldn't help crying and said, "The previous emperor lost his virtue and abandoned the world, and the people suffered great disasters. Fortunately, the prince of Tang saved the world and established order to support the country. He has done great favors to the Yang family. I should abdicate and pass on my virtue to show justice and follow the will of heaven!"

All the ministers cried, but no one tried to dissuade them, which shows the people's will.

A few days later, Li Mi entered Chang'an and knelt for a long time in front of the Wude Hall. The King of Tang summoned him three times before he came to see him. Li Mi declared himself a guilty minister, covered his face and recounted his crimes, lamenting that he had not recognized the will of heaven in the past.

The King of Tang issued an order, appointing him as the Duke of Xing and the General of the Right Guard, and immediately ordered him to lead his troops to fight against the rebellious forces.

Li Mi, the Duke of Xing, swore: "I will carry my coffin and go to war to defeat the enemy for the king. If I fail, I will die!"

The King of Tang returned the ancestral mansion of Duke Xing to him and arranged for his cousin Dugu to be his wife. Duke Xing thanked him repeatedly and burst into tears.

...............

(End of this chapter)