After talking for a long time, his wife's tenderness and encouragement allowed Li Shimin to regain his strength. Although Princess Qin was filial to her elders and had a good relationship with her sisters, she knew that her husband was her only support.
Many years ago, after Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he demoted Li Yuan. The latter had no choice but to leave Li Shimin and his wife to stay in Taiyuan. Princess Qin presided over the Tang Dynasty's palace, which was praised by everyone inside and outside.
"What are you thinking about, husband?" Princess Qin said softly, "But you are worried about the generals in Hebei?"
"I received a secret letter from the king of Huai'an the day before yesterday. Sanhu hosted a banquet in honor of Han Liang, Yu Zhining, Yu Chigong, Cheng Zhijie, Li Shiji, Zhang Shigui, and Cheng Mingzhen." Li Shimin said quietly: "Among them, Cheng Mingzhen and Li Shiji have not received any letters yet."
"This is a conspiracy." Princess Qin thought about it carefully and advised: "Although Li Shiji followed his husband to attack Song Jingang, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heitai, after all, he was an old member of Mi Gong and had a good deal with Wei Xuan."
In fact, although Li Shiji served under Li Shimin in several wars, he never entered the Qin Palace. Moreover, his defection to the Tang Dynasty was recommended by the Crown Prince Xima Wei Zheng, so his situation was naturally a bit embarrassing.
Looking at Li Shimin's face, Princess Qin advised again: "Your Highness knows everything about Cheng Mingzhen, how can you blame him?"
Li Shimin was silent for a moment and then said with a smile: "I was not thinking about the people in Hebei just now, but actually thinking about King Lanling."
Princess Qin's face changed slightly and she said with a smile: "Speaking of which, Prince Lanling is my uncle's clan brother."
"It was because I heard the story of King Lanling from Duke Gao that I had the joy of King Qin breaking the formation." Li Shimin's eyes flickered, "Such a person, such a person..."
King Lanling was the famous Northern Qi general Gao Changgong. His ancestor was the famous Gao Huan, and his father was the unlucky Gao Cheng who died before usurping the throne.
Gao Changgong was probably the most outstanding general in the Northern Qi Dynasty, and he was most famous for his mask.
During the Battle of Mangshan, the Zhou army besieged Luoyang, and Gao Changgong led 500 cavalry to come to the rescue. When they arrived at the city, no one recognized him. Gao Changgong took off his mask, and everyone said that he was beautiful and unparalleled, and that Prince Lanling must be here.
It was during that battle that Gao Changgong became so famous that his soldiers sang "The Song of King Lanling Entering the Battle".
Li Shimin and Gao Changgong have too many similarities. They are both members of the clan, and they are both young leaders of the army. They both fought on the battlefield and never lost, winning the hearts of the generals and the support of the soldiers.
One has "The Song of King Lanling Entering the Formation" and the other has "The Music of King Qin Breaking the Formation".
Both of them even held official positions in Shangshu Ling.
Gao Changgong, a master of great achievements, suffered from jealousy, took bribes to defile himself, and refused to delay medical treatment when he was sick. However, even so, he was given poisonous wine and died in the end.
Li Shimin could not accept such an ending, or in other words, if the ending was death and having his head cut off while kneeling, he would rather stand and fight with knives.
Princess Qin whispered: "Tomorrow I will pay my respects to my father-in-law. The elder is still young..."
If King Qin and his entire family were expelled from the palace, it would almost eliminate the possibility of ascending to the throne...at least it would be impossible to take over the throne normally.
Li Shimin didn't say anything. He still had expectations in his heart that even he didn't believe in... After all, there was a successful case before him.
Yang Guang also made meritorious service to defeat Chen, and after a few years of forbearance, he replaced the crown prince Yang Yong.
"Forget it, let Hebei let Sanhu mess around." Li Shimin snorted, "Tomorrow I will summon Qin Qiong, Yu Chigong, Cheng Zhijie and others to return to Beijing. Cheng Mingzhen...Cheng Mingzhen, let him go."
Li Shimin conquered Hebei. In addition to annihilating Liu Heita, Li Shimin also made great efforts to win over the heroes of Hebei. The leader of them was Cheng Mingzhen, who had been a general under Dou Jiande.
However, Li Shimin could not accuse Cheng Mingzhen of possible alienation, because both his parents died at the hands of Liu Heitai, Liu Heitai fled north to the grassland, and Li Shimin did not allow Cheng Mingzhen to pursue and take revenge.
"Your Highness, there is one more thing."
Li Shimin laughed and said, "I'm not calling you husband at this time, but your highness. What's the matter?"
"Brother...brother is really narrow-minded." Princess Qin sighed: "My uncle asked Li Shan's father about his ancestral name, but he kept silent. It was obvious that he had something to hide, but my brother used this to force me."
Li Shimin was silent for a while, "Guanyin is too demanding."
Li Shan spread those rumors just to use a tiger skin as a banner to use Li Shimin to push back possible threats... This was the idea of Changsun Wuji and Li Shimin.
Changsun Wuji placed rumors on Li Shan to arouse Li Shimin's anger, which was exactly the same as Li Shan's method.
At least in Princess Qin's opinion, they all wanted to use Li Shimin as a spearman.
"Li Shan had a rough life and was in a dangerous situation, so it is understandable that he resorted to such methods." Princess Qin said in a low voice: "But the elder brother is only motivated by personal enmity, and he almost wants to trap His Highness in injustice."
"That young man is quite capable. He has close contacts with the Li family in Longxi. He has a good relationship with his aunt's son, Wang Renbiao. He is also recommended by Dukes Xuanling and Keming."
"If I am killed at the hands of my brother, will there be any heroes willing to be recruited by His Highness in the future?"
It is not an exaggeration to use the term "Yiju must retaliate" to describe Changsun Wuji. This is also the reason why Changsun Wuji always had a high position during the Zhenguan Dynasty but was unable to participate in government affairs.
"Have you been through a rough life and are you in danger?" Li Shimin asked with a smile, "What does Guanyin Maid know?"
"This matter is about to be reported to Your Highness." Princess Qin, who was only in her early twenties, said with a sweet smile: "I heard my third cousin mention this matter yesterday."
"Guest?"
"Well, it should have been reported privately by her husband, Master Li." Princess Qin whispered, "Li Shan is the son of Li Dewu."
"Li Dewu?" Li Shimin's eyes were blank, "Is it Longxi Li or Zhaojun Li?"
"Last November, Pei Shiju's daughter..."
"Oh, the broken mirror is reunited." Li Shimin suddenly realized, "No wonder, no wonder!"
"Li Dewu abandoned his wife and son, and Li Shan took care of his mother and temporarily lived in Dongshan Temple."
"So we kept silent that day." Li Shimin nodded and said, "But in the past two days, such rumors have been released?"
"That was the move of Li Kai, the fourth son of Master Li. I'm afraid Master Li may have added fuel to the flames. After all, Xuan Ling and Ke Ming both recommended him in front of His Highness." Princess Qin sighed: "If you enter Prince Qin's palace, Your Highness..."
"The Pei family is of a double family, Pei Ji has the trust of his father, and Pei Shiju is also the prince Zhan Shi..." Li Shimin frowned.
"That's why Li Shanjian refused the matter and told the whole story." Princess Qin sighed: "Master Li knows the inside story, and the third cousin only entered the palace in a hurry yesterday."
Li Shimin stood up and walked back and forth for a few steps, thinking in his mind that the Pei family in Hedong was a prominent family, but so far no one had joined the Prince of Qin's palace.
You must know that the other five surnames and seven families, as well as the second-ranking Jingzhao Weidu, all have tribesmen who came to vote...but the Pei family did not.
Pei Ji quietly relied on the East Palace in the government, Pei Shiju even served in the East Palace, and Pei Longqian was appointed as the crown prince's left guard.
"Such a hero is a treasure that has not yet been captured. Your Highness has the ambition to clarify the world..."
"Guanyin Maid values this man very much. Could it be that she wants to recruit a son-in-law?"
"My husband's words are too frivolous." Princess Qin gave a sideways look, "I just pity this young man for his talent and learning but his difficulties. Besides, doesn't your husband like the eldest son of the Xiao family?"
Li Shimin pretended to apologize, but he was thinking in his heart that although Li Shan seemed insignificant, he was actually a chess piece with some weight.
"That's alright, I'll just lend him Hu's power and use it to his advantage."
Li Shan's plan was basically in pieces, but he unexpectedly caught the skirt of the goddess of luck.
The King of Qin and his wife only took a fancy to Li Shan's identity. This was a young man who might be able to influence the Pei family, or at least judge the political stance of the Pei family.