Now that even the Shaolin Temple has surrendered to Li Guo, the two major helpers of the Tang State are not only beheaded, but may also defect. How should the Tang State deal with it?
It stands to reason that nature should destroy it quickly and kill the chicken to scare the monkeys!
However, in Luoyang, the eastern capital, the White Horse Temple and the Shaolin Temple were the two strongest civil forces supporting the Tang Dynasty, and the personal connections behind them were even more intricate, like an invisible network that spread throughout the eastern capital.
If they wanted to destroy the White Horse Temple and Shaolin Temple, the Tang Army could indeed do it at any cost. However, it was estimated that nearly half of the civilian forces in the Eastern Capital City would have to be wiped out, and there would be civil strife throughout the city. This price is not something that the Tang Army today can afford.
Especially the White Horse Temple, whose base camp is in Dongdu City, has more than 100,000 disciples, and dominates an area. Even if the Tang army excludes other factors, the difficulty of destroying the White Horse Temple is no less than that of capturing a big city, and it is estimated that millions of regular troops will be killed or injured before it can be destroyed.
, not counting the close forces outside the White Horse Temple and the subsequent influence.
To put it simply, today’s Tang State cannot afford to be hurt!
…
Luoyang, the eastern capital, Gongcheng.
The events in the Shaolin Temple were spread intentionally or unintentionally by Li Guo, and soon spread to the Eastern Capital. It was like an earthquake in the Eastern Capital, causing people to have strange thoughts and surging undercurrents.
Tang Wang Li Yuan, Li Xiaogong, Li Shentong, Liu Wenjing, Pei Ji and other core members of the Tang Kingdom were naturally more nervous, angry and panicked.
With the withdrawal of the Sui army, Tang King Li Yuan indeed succeeded in his plan and blocked the almost inevitable disaster. However, the Li army was not the Sui army. Now that the Tang army was defending the eastern capital, could it still stop the Li army?
What I have to admit is that the withdrawal of the Sui army has a lot to do with the Li army's plan to surrender to Wei and Northern Yan, destroy the Xia state, and gather in Henan. Otherwise, if the Sui army refuses to retreat, it will sooner or later capture the Eastern Capital.
It was the Tang army that relied on external forces.
Now, all eight passes in Luoyang have fallen into the hands of the Lijun. There are more than twenty groups of Lijun and hundreds of Lijun regiments, all of which are besieging the eastern capital. Does the Tang army still have reinforcements? Is there any external force? Is there still hope?
Even Li Yuan, Li Xiaogong, Liu Wenjing and others were in panic all day long. One can imagine the reaction of the Tang army and the people in the city!
When resisting the Sui army, the Tang army and the people of the Tang state were still quite confident and had great hopes for the Tang state. They still basically obeyed the imperial edict and obeyed the orders. But now? There are more and more people and forces who are submissive and defiant!
"My king, Li's army has been besieging the city for three days. Entry and exit are prohibited. Even the people who come in and out are shot and killed on the spot. The intention is very obvious. They want to bring down our side..."
After discussing the matter of Shaolin Temple and the current situation of Dongdu, Li Xiaogong said with a tired smile, paused, and then quickly continued:
"Nowadays, not only the White Horse Temple and Shaolin Temple, but also many aristocratic families and civil forces have begun to violate the law. The most obvious point is that they refuse to hand over their grain reserves. According to reliable intelligence, some generals and soldiers want to go out of town.
Surrender, but it will not be accepted by the Lijun. It is clearly stated that... anyone who leaves the city will die..."
"Hmph! Such a cruel heart, with such a character, how can he be a wise master?!"
Li Yuan's face was extremely ugly, as if he had aged by more than ten years. He snorted and cursed. He quickly added: "If you go to the battlefield or take weapons, you are a soldier and an enemy. You will not complain about life or death, and you will not even spare the unarmed common people."
But, what is this?"
"Why……"
Li Xiaogong was about to speak but stopped, sighing and falling silent.
With Li Yuan's wisdom, it was impossible not to understand what Li Xiaogong meant. This was obviously Li Jun's plan to bring down the Eastern Capital and win without a fight. Li Yuan was just pretending to be stupid and venting his anger.
Of course, I have to admit that Li Jun was indeed a bit cruel in doing this. He even refused to let the people of Dongdu leave the city and even refused to accept surrender to the Tang army. This was a bit too much!
Thinking back, this tactic is indeed unsolvable and a naked conspiracy.
Now that the Li Army is encircling the city, no one can leave the city. Food, clothing, housing and transportation are quite huge every day. There will be no need for the Li Army to attack the city. The Eastern Capital itself will be in chaos, and the countdown to cannibalism has begun!
"Aside from patrolling the four directions and supporting each branch, the Li Army has not conducted any major military operations at all, and there are no signs of attacking the city..."
Pei Ji took a deep breath and followed up with the reminder rather tactfully.
Li Yuan's eyes flashed coldly, and he spat angrily: "What? Is Pei Aiqing disappointed? Or does she also want to surrender and leave the country?"
"If the veteran would betray me, why would he wait until now?"
Pei Ji responded with a slight resentment, as if he was going all out, paused, and then continued:
"I really don't understand. Now that things have come to this, what is my king still insisting on? Are you waiting for the Sui army to counterattack and engage in a life-and-death battle with the Li army, so that our army can reap the benefits?"
"presumptuous!"
Li Yuan was furious, and it was indeed revealed that his intentions were wrong.
However, the facts proved that that was a completely extravagant hope. The Sui army had no intention of fighting a decisive battle with the Li army. Even Pingjin Pass abandoned the pass before Li Wang Wuxin arrived, which meant that the Sui army would not fight a decisive battle with the Li army.
It basically ended Li Yuan’s last hope!
"If my king doubts my loyalty, I can die to prove it. However, I really don't want to see my king continue to persist so hopelessly..."
Pei Ji took a deep breath, looked at death as if he were home, and looked directly at Li Yuan loyally and said. He paused, and then quickly continued:
"My king is not afraid of death. All the veterans know this. However, has my king ever thought about his family and clan? The longer he persists, the greater the harm will be to those who are loyal to my king. King Li has made it clear that he will not attack the city.
, However, after insisting for ninety days, Li Guo’s concubine had to be buried with our king. King Li is the Lord of the Kingdom of Heaven, and he must do what he says, and the consequences can be imagined... Is this what my king wants to see? "
"you……"
Li Yuan got up in anger, drew his sword and pointed it at Pei Ji!
"I am willing to die!"
Pei Ji still looked directly at Li Yuan calmly and responded with a calm expression.
"Please give me death, my king!"
Liu Wenjing sighed secretly, and also bowed and begged.
The situation in the Tang Dynasty is indeed quite delicate, with the presence of Concubine De and the strange relationship between King Li and Li Tang.
King Li was indeed quite tolerant of Li Tang, and even made a promise not to attack the eastern capital. However, he also made it clear that Concubine De would be buried with him, as well as all those who were willing to be buried with King Tang, including Li Jiancheng.
Use your merits to pay for your life.
Even Concubine De and King Li were able to do something to them. Will King Li be polite to Pei Ji, Liu Wenjing and others?!
It is conceivable that the longer Dongdu persists, the angrier King Li will become. Not only will King Tang and Concubine De die, but they, the important officials of the Tang Kingdom, will also be buried with them, and the nine tribes may also be implicated!
I have to admit that Li Tang was indeed a good man. There were indeed many civil servants, military generals and civilians who were loyal to Li Tang, and many of them sacrificed their lives.
It’s just that reality is cruel and human nature is complicated.
For example, Pei Ji was willing to be buried with Li Yuan, but did not want his relatives and friends to be implicated. This was one of the main reasons for the strange reactions of Pei Ji, Liu Wenjing and others.
Of course, if Lijun refuses to surrender now, he is definitely forcing Yunliang.
When the situation in the Eastern Capital becomes more and more serious, and more and more people become desperate and can't stand it anymore, and can surrender without fighting, the Li Army will most likely surrender. (~^~)
