If Li Shentong hadn't mentioned it recently, Li Yuanji would have almost thought that this person had disappeared.
It was also a credit to Hou Junji that he contracted a serious illness when he left Chang'an and did not rush to Luoyang to control the soldiers and horses in the capital and coordinate with Li Shimin. Otherwise, the previous coup in the palace would have been troublesome.
As for Hou Junji, Li Yuanji's senses are not good, but this guy's ability is really nothing to say.
Historically, during the Wude Dynasty, this guy was unremarkable. Apart from working with Yuchi Gong to persuade Li Shimin to make up his mind early and kill Li Jiancheng, he did not do other major things, nor did he make any outstanding military exploits, so his official rank was higher than that of Yuchi.
Gong, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong and others were more than a star lower.
It wasn't until the Xuanwumen Incident that he climbed to a high position by virtue of the power of Conglong, and was granted the title of Duke of Lu and the title of General Youwuwei.
Then he started to show his prominence during the Zhenguan Dynasty. He first served as Li Jing's deputy, helping Li Jing press Tuyuhun to the ground and rub him, and then led the army to conquer Gaochang alone, almost killing Gaochang without any survivors.
If he had not later instigated Li Chengqian to rebel and was defeated and killed, I am afraid that he would have been involved in the war against Goguryeo.
Although this guy's resume is far less exciting than that of Li Jing, Li Shiji, Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin and others, this guy's ability is definitely not inferior to that of Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin and others.
Even higher than Yu Chigong, Cheng Yaojin and others.
After all, this guy can be both a vanguard general and a commander-in-chief leading troops. In this aspect alone, he is better than Yu Chigong, Cheng Yaojin and others.
Although Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin and others were very capable, their ability to lead troops on their own was still lacking. Therefore, when leading troops in battles, they basically served as deputies or marching generals.
In comparison, Hou Junji, who can lead troops alone, act as commander-in-chief, and preside over a war by himself, has more outstanding abilities.
This is not Li Yuanji's imagination, nor is it what Li Yuanji personally thinks.
Historically, Li Shimin appointed Hou Junji as commander-in-chief, but never appointed Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin and others as commander-in-chief, which is enough to show that Li Shimin thought so too.
Li Shimin can definitely be called the authority when it comes to selecting generals.
Everything he thinks is basically correct.
As for whether Hou Junji's ability can match that of Li Shiji, it's hard to say.
After all, judging from their resumes, there is no way to compare.
Because Li Shiji was not only an evergreen tree in politics, but also an evergreen tree on the battlefield. He was active from the Wude Dynasty to the Yonghui Dynasty.
In comparison, Hou Junji was just a flash in the pan during the Zhenguan Dynasty.
However, Li Yuanji personally believes that Hou Junji's combat ability may be on par with Li Shiji's, and his commanding ability should be slightly weaker than Li Shiji's. As for his political acumen, he was completely rubbed on the ground by Li Shiji.
Li Yuanji felt that Hou Junji should be regarded as an equal to Qin Qiong, but he was more ambitious than Qin Qiong.
It was precisely because of this undue ambition that Li Yuanji was not good to his senses.
However, even if your senses are not good, you still have to use them. Who told the imperial court to be short of people now, and who made Hou Junji capable?
As for Hou Junji's ambition, it can be tempered slowly.
Anyway, it would be a waste to leave such a talent unused, so it is better to put it to use.
Moreover, this talent's loyalty to Li Shimin is not as firm as it seems, and he can be put to good use.
After being summoned by Liu Jun, Hou Junji arrived quickly. He was wearing regular clothes and had an unshaven beard. He looked much thinner than before, and his face was also much paler.
It seems that he really has a serious illness and is not pretending to be sick to avoid the coup in the palace.
Think about it, this guy is a staunch conspirator, and he spared no effort in admonishing Li Shimin to kill his brother and usurp the throne. If he wasn't really ill, how could he have missed the last shiver.
"I have gathered all the princes and princes of Quanjiao County to see His Highness the King of Qi."
Hou Jun gathered at the Zhaode Hall and greeted him with a weak tone.
His current title is Quanjiao County Prince, which is more than one and a half stars lower than that of Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin and others.
His official position was the Chariot and Cavalry General of the Prince of Qin. Now that the Prince of Qin's Palace has disappeared, his official position has also disappeared, so he can only call himself a knight.
"No need to be polite, sit down and talk."
Li Yuanji waved his hand in a calm tone, motioning for Hou Junji to sit down.
After Hou Junji sat down, Li Yuanji slowly said: "I heard that Mr. Hou has a serious illness. How is his condition now?"
Hou Junji cupped his hands expressionlessly and said, "I'm sorry to bother Your Highness, but I'm fine now. I'll just take care of you for a while longer."
Li Yuanji nodded and said, "Can we still fight?"
Hou Junji finally had an expression on his face. He was a little surprised, a little excited, and a little suspicious. He hesitated and said, "What do you mean by your highness?"
Li Yuanji did not hide anything, and said openly: "I want you to lead the army to Yunyang to prevent the Turks from attacking. If you can still fight, I will immediately appoint you as the vanguard of the front army and lead the army."
Rush to Yunyang.
If you can't fight, then go back and rest early."
Hou Junji's eyes moved slightly and he fell into deep thought. However, his hand that was tapping Xiao Ji made people see through him at once.
Obviously, his heart was not at peace.
Li Yuanji did not urge him and allowed Hou Junji to sit there and meditate.
After a long time, Hou Junji suddenly raised his head and said: "Qin...Does His Highness the King of Qin know about this?"
Hou Junji obviously didn't know how to call Li Shimin now, but he couldn't think of a suitable title, so he hesitated and called Li Shimin King of Qin.
Although Li Shimin has been demoted to a commoner, he is still Li Yuan's son, and not everyone can neglect him.
Li Yuanji said calmly: "There is no longer a King of Qin in our Tang Dynasty..."
Hou Junji said awkwardly: "I made a mistake, but your Highness should understand what I meant."
Li Yuanji nodded and said: "He doesn't know, but even if he knew, he wouldn't stop it. Not long ago, he had ordered the Xuanjia Army to follow Li Jing to leave Chang'an City, and also ordered Xue Shou, Yu Zhining and others to do their best.
Try your best to help me.
Now, Xue Shou and others have returned to their respective places. You should know this in Chang'an City.
So if you lead the army to Yunyang to stop the Turks on my orders, even if he knows about it, he won't say anything."
After Li Shimin learned that the Turks might descend from Xiaoguan and that Chang'an City was in danger, he no longer thought about usurping power. When Xue Shou rushed to Anlimen to ask for the handwritten letter, he not only happily He wrote a handwritten letter and asked Xue Shou and others to temporarily put aside their grudges and perform their duties to help Datang overcome this difficulty.
In the face of major issues of right and wrong, Li Shimin thought very clearly and did not let personal grudges get in the way. Instead, he actively cooperated and tried to make Datang overcome this difficulty.
Li Yuanji still appreciates this.
This is what an emperor through the ages should look like.
When Hou Junji heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately held up his hands and said, "Since he won't stop me and won't say anything, I'm willing to go if I can fight."
Li Yuanji nodded, smiled unconsciously, and wrote an appointment document for Hou Junji.
Hou Junji was appointed as the left general in charge of the left army under Li Xiuning's account. He was engaged in history in the administration of Yongzhou, and led the troops of Qianzhou, Yanzhou and Fangzhou under Yongzhou to guard Yunyang.
After writing the appointment document and giving it to Hou Junji, Li Yuanji said meaningfully, "Hou Junji, fight hard. If you repel the Turks and defend Yunyang, I will grant you a title." Marquis, he was sealed in Yunyang."
Hou Junji's eyes suddenly widened, and the hand holding the appointment document began to tremble.
Guannai Hou is full of gold.
Although the Tang Dynasty no longer pays attention to this, the closer the title is to the center, the more valuable it is. The weight of a marquis within the pass is not lower than that of the princes outside the pass.
Hou Junji was moved, very moved.
Li Yuanji gave too much.
What was the purpose of him constantly encouraging Li Shimin to usurp power? Was it because he loved Li Shimin? No! It was to get promoted to a higher position! It was to gain reputation in front of his former colleagues such as Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin.
They were all leaders, they all joined the army in the troubled times of the late Sui Dynasty, and they all fought in the north and south with Li Shimin. Why is it that Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin and others have become princes, and he is still a county son.
He also wanted to be a duke, a more majestic duke than Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin and others.
Not for anything else, just to not be inferior to Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin and others when they stand together.
Now that Li Shimin had been defeated, nothing could be given to him. He originally thought that Li Yuanji would not use him until Li Shimin died suddenly or disappeared suddenly, and then he would have a chance to advance to the nobility based on his military exploits.
He felt that he might have to wait a long, long time.
You may have to wait a lifetime.
Unexpectedly, Li Yuanji used him so quickly and promised him such great benefits.
To him, becoming a duke no longer seemed like a luxury. It seemed that it was too close. How could he not be excited?
"Why, are you dissatisfied with my reward, or do you have no confidence in yourself?"
Seeing Hou Junji start to tremble with excitement, Li Yuanji asked with a smile.
Hou Junji regained his composure, swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said, "No, His Highness's reward is already very generous. It is so rich that it exceeds my imagination."
Generally speaking, only those who have achieved great success on the frontal battlefield are eligible to seek a noble position, and only those who have achieved great success several times on the frontal battlefield are eligible to seek an official position.
Li Yuanji only asked him to stop the enemy on the side battlefield. Even if he killed all the enemies, the military exploits he gained were only enough to promote him to the rank of county magistrate in a remote area.
Li Yuanji was a Marquis of Guannei as soon as he opened his mouth, and the reward was already generous and could not be more generous.
This kind of reward can only be obtained by those who have achieved great achievements several times on the frontal battlefield, but who are not enough to be granted a title.
This kind of reward was already so rich that it was beyond his imagination, and he didn't dare to expect anything else.
It's not that he doesn't have the ambition to become a prince, it's that he knows the merits of attacking the enemy from the side and the upper limit of promotion, and he doesn't dare to be greedy and expect more.
Li Yuanji smiled and said: "Does that mean you don't have confidence in yourself?"
Hou Junji looked serious, holding the appointment document in his hands and clasping his fists: "Even if I die in Yunyang, I will not let the Turks cross Yunyang. Your Highness can just wait for news about me!"
At this moment, Li Shimin had forgotten who Hou Junji was, and he no longer cared about how many Turks would come to Hou Junji.
He will kill anyone who dares to stop him from sealing the pass!
The King of Heaven is here, and he dares to fight hard!
