A.D. 785, the fifth day of the third month.

Anxi, at the foot of the southern foot of the eastern section of Tianshan Mountain, Yingsa River.

Because it is located at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, countless streams converge from the mountainside of the Tianshan Mountains to form a light river, and the Danhe River washes out a fertile land, this is the Yingsa River, the original Yingsa River Governor's Mansion is located on the south bank of the Danhe River, but after restructuring in the past few years, some of the governor's offices in the Anxi region have been cancelled one after another.

In the past, there was an Anxi army stationed here and tuntian, but during the Anshi Rebellion, this Anxi army was transferred back to the Central Plains to quell the rebellion, the original fields have long been barren, and the prisoners escorted from all over the Tang Dynasty were concentrated here to reclaim the wasteland for tuntian, in addition to the wasteland, they also had to receive military training.

The barracks were set up on both sides of the Danhe River, and the number reached twenty, and the distance between each two barracks was only three or four miles, and the fields where these prisoners had cleared the fields were on both sides of the riverbank, right next to the barracks, were neat and distinct, and the green winter wheat was knee-high, and had grown ears. Looking down from the sky, you can see two long green belts separated by the light river, and further down, you can see that these two green belts are made up of countless green squares of almost the same size, which can be described in just two words - spectacular.

Not far from the north of the eastern section of the Tianshan mountain is still covered with snow at this time, the whole mountain range is covered in silver, the mountain is already full of spring, but at this time the glacier on the mountain has begun to melt quietly, the ice on the many rivers at the north and south feet of the mountain range has melted, and the gurgling water flows from the mountainside to the foot of the mountain, and then flows to the north and south.

On the site of the former Governor's Mansion is the largest military camp, called the No. 1 military camp. At this time, there was a drill on the school field in the barracks, and the sound of shouting and killing was endless, and it turned out that two teams were fighting against each other. There are still more than a dozen phalanxes standing in the east, west, and south directions around the school grounds, and these soldiers are all prisoner troops who have already conducted offensive and defensive drills for battles, or prisoner troops who are still waiting for offensive and defensive drills.

However, these prisoners here cannot be called an army, although they have been training for three years, but they have not yet officially formed an army, and today is the last day to test the results of their military training in the past three years.

Before they were escorted here from prisons all over the Tang Dynasty, in order to prevent them from escaping halfway and facilitate the pursuit after escaping, the official tattooed a prisoner character on the face of each of them, so after they came here, the local herdsmen and the Anxi military and civilians gave them a name, called the Assassin Army, and later the Tang Army generals who were responsible for training them felt that this title was more appropriate, so they adopted this title.

At this time, the three top generals Hun Xuan, Fan Xichao, and Gao Chongwen were standing on the point general platform on the north side of the school field, and there were more than a dozen senior generals standing behind them. The three of them are equal in rank and rank, no one is big or small, this No. 1 military camp is on duty by the three of them in turn, rotated every year, they have to conduct a military competition here every year, and this time is the last competition in the past three years, after the end of the year, it is necessary to send someone to report to the Chang'an court, and the court will send someone to accept the training results, and the court will send someone to accept the acceptance before it can officially become an army.

Even the three top generals of Hun Xuan, Gao Chongwen, and Fan Xichao didn't know where this thorn army would be transferred after it was officially formed, nor did they know what the role of this army was.

Among the three, Hun Yang is the oldest, forty-nine years old this year, Gao Chongwen and Fan Xichao are the same age, both are thirty-nine years old, more than ten years ago they were only twenty or thirty years old young people, brave in battle, but lack of calm and knowledge, after more than ten years of precipitation and accumulation, they have retreated from youth, tend to mature, from brave and resolute to calm, rich in command ability of the general.

Hun Yang is modest and cautious by nature, even if he is now in a high position and ranked among the generals, he is never arrogant, every time he meets the regent and the prime ministers of the court, he is humble and courteous, even if he sees ministers with the same official position as him or lower than him, he never puts on a show, and is very close to the court officials.

Looking at the two pairs of centaurs who were fighting against each other on the school field, Hun Ying said to Gao Chongwen: "Brother Chongwen, your combat power is good!" In my brother's opinion, this team is the strongest of the six teams you bring, with orderly advance and retreat in the march, orders to convey smooth materials, and high execution, which is really good! ”

Gao Chongwen is resolute and loyal, not smiling, at this time he was praised by Hun Xuan, and it was rare to show a smile, hugged his fists and said: "Brother Hun has won the award, in leading the troops, where can I compare to my brother?" ”

Fan Xichao said with a smile: "From the point of view of the younger brother, the ability of the two brothers to command the army is above the younger brother, this big competition, I am afraid that the younger brother will be at the bottom!" ”

After this competition, Fan Xichao led a total of six teams, but he only won two games, lost three, and one team was waiting to participate.

These three people have good military talents, but Fan Xichao's political talents are above Hun Ying and Gao Chongwen, the political ability of these two is almost zero, but Fan Xichao is a figure who is both civil and military, such talents are very rare, and Zhao Ziliang pays the most attention to him.

If a military general's political talent is more prominent than that of other generals, then he will have a certain advantage in commanding troops, and people with strong political ability generally understand strategy and strategy, and will win over and buy people's hearts.

Hun Xuan shook his head after listening to Fan Xichao's words and said: "It's too early to say the result, if your last team can fight to the end, don't you want to win the championship?" What's the use of winning more ahead? The key is to see who can laugh at the end! ”

After this last day of intense competition, one of the centaurs trained by Hun Yang finally won the championship in one fell swoop, but only three of his seven centaurs made it through, and the other four teams were all defeated in the first round of confrontations.

The man with the most wins was led by Gao Chongwen, who won a total of five victories, but failed to win the championship at the end. Half of the six men and horses led by the Fanheede dynasty were victorious, and the other half was defeated.

In the afternoon of the same day, Hun Ying, Gao Chongwen, and Fan Xichao jointly ordered that after the end of the big competition, each group returned to their respective military camps in turn, and ordered to prepare rich food such as wine and meat to reward everyone.

In a huge barracks in the middle of the No. 1 barracks, the three of them each sat on a low table on a horse, and in front of them were roast mutton and boiled beef, as well as a jar of fine wine.

"Come, two virtuous brothers, now that the three-year training period has ended, although we will continue to carry out consolidation training from tomorrow, waiting for the imperial court to send someone to accept it, but in the future, the imperial court will arrange us yet, maybe in the future, we will have to go to different sides of the world, and do one together!" Hun Ying picked up the wine bowl and said to Gao Chongwen and Fan Xichao.

Both of them picked up the wine bowl and drank a bowl with Hun Ying, Gao Chongwen put down the wine bowl and said: "I don't know how these assassins will be arranged after the imperial court sends someone to accept it, whether they will be transferred to other places to garrison, or stay this time, or let those who have completed their sentences retire and return to their hometowns!" ”

Fan Xichao shook his head and said: "It should be impossible for them to retire and return to their hometowns, although they have been self-sufficient here for food and clothing in the past three years, but many materials, especially other materials such as armor, equipment and weapons, are supplied by the imperial court, and the cost is very huge, so let them retire and return to their hometowns?" Isn't that a waste of money? The regent wouldn't do such a brainless thing, I guess, these people are likely to be sent to battle, and as for where they are sent, I don't know! ”

When Hun Xuan and Gao Chongwen heard this, they hurriedly said, "Brother Fan Xian, do you have any inside information?" Tell me about it? ”

Fan Xichao shook his head and said: "I don't have any inside information, I just analyze and analyze, and I have this feeling, this thing must be unusual!" ”

······

Chang'an, the regent's palace.

Zhao Ziliang was reviewing the recital, and one of the recitals caught his attention, this recital was jointly performed by Hun Xuan, Gao Chongwen and Fan Xichao, and the recital said that the 55,000 prisoners had now completed all the training subjects after three years of clearing the wasteland and military drills, and hoped that the imperial court would send people to accept the results of the training as soon as possible.

"Is it time?" Zhao Ziliang couldn't help but whisper to himself after reading the recital, "It's time to leave."

After a long time, Zhao Ziliang instructed Li Muchen, who was waiting next to him: "Master Li, spread the will of Gu, let Gao Shang, Li Mi, Zheng San, Zhao Ting and others come over!" ”

These people are all prime ministers of the DPRK and China, but Li Mi, Zheng San, and Gao Shang are all relatively old, according to the regulations, they are all about to retire to the age of Zhishi, and the new prime minister candidate is being searched, Zhao Ting has been appointed last year, and he is the prime minister of the same Zhongshu men, and he is the prime minister like the other three.

Gao Shang, Li Mi, Zheng San, Zhao Ting and others quickly rushed over and greeted Zhao Ziliang together, "Wait for the ministers to meet the king!" ”

Zhao Ziliang raised his hand, motioned for them to be exempt, and said, "I called you here today to tell you something, so that you can be mentally prepared. This king will soon leave Chang'an and return to Western Qin, and the military and political affairs of the Tang Dynasty will be handed over to you, and this king has decided to let Zhao Ting supervise the country, assisted by a few of you! ”

Gao Shang and the others knew that this day was coming sooner or later, but they didn't expect that today, they glanced at each other, and Gao Shang arched his hand and said: "Since the king has found the ministers to tell him about this decision, he must have thought about it a long time ago, and the ministers also know that it is useless to dissuade the king, and the ministers resolutely support the Xianyang Wang Jianguo, but according to the regulations, the three of us will soon reach the age of Zhishi's retirement, and within this year, we will all retire, I wonder if the king has considered a new candidate for Zaifu?" ”

Zhao Ziliang asked: "Even if you retire, you still have influence on the government, and with you here, there should not be too many variables in the court situation." Regarding the new Zaifu candidates, I don't know what opinions the three Qing families have, but are there any recommended candidates? ”

Li Mi thought about it and stood up and arched his hand: "The minister recommends Xiao Fu!" ”

Zhao Ziliang thought for a while and nodded: "Yes, although Xiao Fu is the son-in-law of the royal family, after all, he is a foreigner, he is decent, not afraid of the powerful, has a position, responsibility, and talent, and is an ideal candidate for prime minister!" ”

"The minister recommends Liu Congyi!" Gao Shang stood up and arched his hand and said.

Zheng San arched his hand and said: "The minister recommends Zhang Yanxian!" ”

"They are all ideal candidates for prime minister!" Zhao Ziliang nodded, looked at Zhao Ting and asked, "What about you?" Who do you recommend? ”

Zhao Ting arched his hand and said: "Father, the three adults have already recommended a Zaifu each, so the sons and daughters will not recommend it, right?" Erchen thinks that the number of prime ministers should not be too much, and it is better to be singular! ”

"Makes sense!" Zhao Ziliang thought about it and agreed with Zhao Ting's statement.

Three days later, Zhao Ziliang ordered the king of Xianyang, the servant of the door, and the Pingzhang of the Tongzhong Shumen to supervise the country, assisted by three prime ministers, including Gao Shang, Li Mi and Zheng San.

Zhao Ziliang left Chang'an to control the political situation not once or twice, in recent years, he often went to the Tang Dynasty to inspect, sometimes left Chang'an for several months, he also left Chang'an for more than ten years, handed over government affairs to Gao Shang and others to take care of, the people of the world have long been surprised, now his son Zhao Ting is the prison of the country, the people can see that the regent is ready to let Zhao Ting take power, this kind of statement has long spread among the people, the government and the opposition and officials and people all over the country do not feel strange, are relatively calm.

After presiding over the last court meeting, Zhao Ziliang set off for Western Qin on April 16, 785 AD.