Li Ji was wearing a short game uniform and was practicing martial arts with his two sons.
Li Ji, whose real name was Xu Shiji, was the military advisor of Wagang Village. He later followed Li Mi to surrender to the Tang Dynasty.
From then on, he was out of control and made great military exploits for the Tang Dynasty. His prestige in the army was equal to that of Li Jing.
Fortunately, Li Shimin himself is more powerful, so he doesn't have to worry about his great achievements. Otherwise, based on the record of these fierce men under his command, it is estimated that the replacement of the emperor would have been a long time ago.
Li Ji himself was a general and a prime minister. When he was in charge of the army, he was made his Great Wall by Li Shimin. When he returned to the court, he successively served as Minister of the Ministry of War, Tong Zhongshu's third rank, Sikong, Crown Prince and Grand Master, etc., and he was awarded the title of British prince.
To reach this point as an official is to reach the pinnacle.
Watching his two sons dancing with swords, Li Ji smiled and nodded.
At this time, a general came in from outside, lowered his hand and said: "Duke, Your Majesty has sent someone to urgently summon the Duke to see you."
Li Ji turned around and said, "Hurry and prepare the car."
"Isn't the Duke changing his clothes?"
Li Jidao said: "Your Majesty is summoning you at this time. Something big must have happened. How can we delay it?"
Soon, Li Ji stepped into the Tai Chi Hall and saw His Majesty and several Taoist priests standing in front of a sand table.
Li Ji stepped forward to take a look and said: "Xiazhou!"
Li Yu couldn't help but feel a little speechless. You all have been staring at this place for a day or two. How come you are so familiar with other people's territory and can recognize it at a glance?
Li Shimin said: "Have you ever heard of Temujin of Mongolia?"
Li Ji said without thinking: "This man is good at using soldiers and is extremely difficult to deal with."
"I am going to let you go to Xiazhou and fight him. Are you sure?"
Li Ji thought for a while and said, "When will we leave?"
"I'll give you three days to recruit the troops, the three armies of Jingzhao Prefecture, and the generals of Chang'an. It's up to you to choose."
Li Ji shook his head and said, "One day is enough."
"good!"
Li Jidao: "But there is another problem."
"explain."
The dialogue between the monarch and his ministers was very concise, and Li Yu felt comfortable listening to it. This is the combination that can do great things.
Li Ji pointed to the sand table and said, "This is the territory of the Song Dynasty."
"It doesn't matter. The Song Dynasty has already agreed. We are going to help them fight Mongolia. The Song Dynasty will also provide military rations, right?" Li Shimin looked at Li Yu.
The latter nodded quickly.
As long as it can stop the Mongols, military rations are nothing.
Isn't this better than Nasui coins?
Li Yu couldn't help but ask: "I wonder which generals your country wants to take with you?"
In Li Yu's heart, he was always a little afraid of Temujin. This name was too intimidating.
In this era of chaos between gods and demons, he is very likely to be more powerful than in history. He is not a reckless man who only knows how to bend a bow and shoot big eagles.
Li Ji smiled and said: "How about bringing Xue Li, Qu Tutong, Duan Zhixuan, and Liu Hongji?"
These are all fierce men, but Li Yu was still a little worried and said: "A few more."
Li Ji looked at Li Shimin, who nodded slightly.
Li Ji said: "Then bring Su Dingfang and Cheng Yaojin."
Li Yu nodded and said: "Okay, okay, this is good."
Li Ji laughed.
Cheng Yaojin has a good reputation, but in fact, the strength of the previous generals is not inferior to him at all.
"Pindao has another suggestion."
Li Shimin nodded and said: "But it doesn't matter."
Li Yu cleared his throat and then whispered: "The time has come for Zen Master Xuanzang to serve the country..."
Li Shimin's eyes lit up, this suggestion was indeed a good one, and he immediately agreed.
"The Tang Dynasty has treated Buddhism well over the years, and they should indeed contribute." Li Yu said seriously.
He had long wanted to drag Buddhism into trouble, but Xuanzang was not an easy man. No matter what you said, he would never express his stance.
It was a good thing to have Li Shimin put some pressure on him this time, and the participation of Xuanzang's Buddhism in the battle was not only symbolic, but also crucial to the outcome.
The strength of Buddhism is not weak, they can even fight against Tianting and Buddhism in Baoxiang Kingdom. Although they were defeated in anger in the end, their strength is evident.
Especially Xuanzang himself. Li Yu had never seen him use his full strength, but he was able to do it almost every time.
Of course Li Ji had no objection. He also nodded and said: "As long as the Zen master nods, of course it is a wish."
Li Yusheng was afraid that the matter would become a scandal, so he quickly pulled Li Shimin over and said, "Pindao suggested that your majesty go personally to persuade the Zen master to come out of the mountain. He will not listen to anyone but your majesty. He has to listen to your majesty."
Liu Bowen smiled and said nothing. He admired Li Yu's performance very much.
The Buddhism of the Tang Dynasty has been in the territory of the Tang Dynasty for so many years, eating and drinking from the Tang Dynasty, and enjoying the offerings of the people of the Tang Dynasty. Now it is time to repay the favor.
They went to fight the Mongols to the death in order to protect the well-being of the people in the Central Plains. Wouldn't it be much better than dying in that illusory Buddhist internal fight?
If they died in the internal fighting in Buddhism, it can only be said that they were ignorant and blindly obedient; if they died in the battlefield of Xiazhou, it shows how great they died!
Li Shimin suddenly pulled Li Yu's sleeve and whispered: "You are so sinister. Xuanzang is truly lucky to have you as his sworn brother."
"It would be a great blessing for him to have a sworn brother like Your Majesty," Li Yu said.
Xuanzang not only became sworn sworn friends with Li Yu, he also became sworn sworn friends with Li Shimin.
If we really talk about it, Li Yu and Li Shimin also have something to say.
However, the two of them made a tacit agreement never to mention it.
Because everyone knows very well what the purpose of their respective sworn vows is.
Li Yu said: "Your Majesty, it's not too late. How about we go now?"
"You can go too." Li Shimin called Li Yu.
"That's right." Li Yu agreed simply.
He has no sense of shame at all. Li Yu really thinks so in his heart. Buddhism eats from the Central Plains and drinks from the Central Plains. When the war starts, you become an outsider?
Is there such a good thing in the world?
In the Tai Chi Hall, everyone went their separate ways. Li Ji went to order troops and horses, while Li Shimin took people to Da Ci'en Temple.
In the Daci'en Temple, the elite of Buddhism in the Central Plains gather together. There are no less than a thousand eminent monks. It can be said that except for the eminent monks from the Song Dynasty, all the other five countries are basically present.
The monks and Taoists in the Song Dynasty have all been registered and are under the control of the imperial court, so they cannot join in the fun.
Of course, there are also many eminent folk monks who secretly came to Chang'an. After all, in their eyes, the Western Heaven has disappeared, and Zen Master Xuanzang's Ten Directions Bodhi is the last pure land of Buddhism.
It stands to reason that such a large force, with its amazing combat power when gathered together, should not exist in the capital of a country for a long time.
Because this court has to consider whether they will threaten itself.
But the Tang Dynasty won't do it. They have this confidence. No matter how strong you are, it doesn't matter. There is no force more powerful than the Tang Dynasty in the world, not even one.
Their unparalleled strength gives them such confidence that they can allow Buddhism to stay here for a long time.
