Beside the dim candlelight, Li Shan took the initiative to hold up Qin Wutong who was saluting, "Don't salute, please call me Brother Wutong."
"The etiquette cannot be abolished..."
"Brother Wu Tong was a close minister of His Majesty in his early years, and he also fought on the battlefield and made great achievements. I heard that I am related to the Linfen Chai family by marriage?" Li Shan said with a smile: "You are still someone's elder. How dare you accept this gift?"
Qin Wutong was startled, but insisted on doing half a courtesy before taking his seat, "Xiaguan's sister-in-law is from the Chai family in Linfen."
"She seems to be Huo Guogong's cousin?"
"yes."
Before Li Shan left Beijing, he heard Princess Pingyang talk about it. During the Battle of Guanzhong, Princess Pingyang led the shogunate alone, and Qin Wutong was her general. Afterwards, Princess Pingyang moved to Jinyang, and Qin Wutong was assigned to Chai Shao.
Under Li Shimin, the two were both in-laws and colleagues, and their relationship was quite close.
Li Shan guessed that Li Yuan may not have considered Princess Pingyang when he chose Qin Wutong... Does this prove Qin Wutong's political stance?
Although Qin Wutong was Li Shimin's old subordinate, he was no longer under his command after the second year of Wude. He did not participate in the three most important battles of Luoyang, Hulao, and Luoshui... and the previous Battle of Baibi was about
In the battle of Li and Tang's survival, almost all the generals and troops that could be used in the pass were used, and it was not just the Qin Prince's family who participated in the battle.
After that, Qin Wutong returned home from injury, and Li Shimin had little contact with him. After all, he was too busy. However, Li Yuan gave him gifts during the New Year to show his favor.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Li Shan chose to go straight to the point, "Prince, the King of Qin's struggle to seize the rightful son has become increasingly fierce. He has reestablished the Daizhou Governor's Mansion, which is also the East Palace, and the Prince of Qin's Mansion is facing off. Now they are trying their best to suppress it, hoping not to damage the military affairs."
"Your Highness, don't worry. I haven't been to the capital for many years." Qin Wutong raised his thick eyebrows, "I have received your Majesty's instructions to help guard Mayi. All of you will obey your orders, Your Majesty, the Duke of Yiyang County."
Li Shan was a little surprised by such a straightforward statement. On the one hand, this sentence showed that Qin Wutong did not and did not want to get involved in the battle for the legitimate son. On the other hand, it also showed his temperament. At least he showed his respect for himself and even
Respect for Liu Shirang.
After hesitating for a while, Li Shancai nodded and said, "Please ask Brother Wutong for help."
"Please give me your instructions, Your Highness."
"You haven't been crowned yet, so let's call him Huairen." Li Shan didn't care. He just felt heartbroken when he heard the title "Your Highness." He felt heartbroken because he had been tricked by Li Yuan.
Qin Wutong had heard about the name Li Shan as early as last year. He was seriously injured and recuperating, and he had been living in Taiyuan Prefecture, not far from Daizhou... In just over half a year, he went from being the magistrate of Dai County to taking charge of the four provinces.
In the land of Zhou, the speed of promotion is staggering, but the military exploits achieved are enough to boast about.
It's just that he is indeed a little too young... Qin Wutong was thinking about all this while listening carefully to Li Shan's explanation. After all, he had just led his troops to Mayi for only a few days.
"It is imperative to purge the army." Li Shan whispered: "This matter has been approved by His Majesty, and Yuan Junzhang has no objection. Only when the military power is dispersed can we do it freely."
Qin Wutong vaguely sensed something... Yuan Junzhang was probably involved in the battle for the right to inherit the throne.
"But Mayi is located in Shuozhou, bordering Yunzhou, close to the Great Wall, and not too far from Wuyuan County." Li Shan had already made the calculation and explained: "So, in order to clean up the army, we must not disrupt the morale of the army.
Otherwise, before the Turks invade in large numbers, Xiao Qiang will be in trouble."
Qin Wutong nodded in agreement, "Yes, when we are close to the Turks, we should focus on Mayi."
"But if we don't purge the army, I'm afraid it will be difficult to defend the city if the Turks besiege it in the future." Li Shan stood up and walked around, "But if the method is a little harsh, there may be worries about a mutiny."
Qin Wutong also worried about Li Shan when he thought about it. On the one hand, he wanted to cleanse the army and weaken Yuan Junzhang's old troops, but on the other hand, he wanted to stabilize the morale of the army and prevent chaos in the army. This was almost contradictory.
"The so-called military spirit can actually be divided into two." Li Shan said slowly: "One is the general, and the other is the soldier."
"It is impossible to form an army without generals, and it is difficult to form an army without soldiers."
"Although the Duke of Yiyang County and Brother Wu Tong are stationed in Mayi, even if Yuan Junzhang's old troops are purged, it is impossible to replace all the generals."
"But the heart of the army is already in hand."
Li Shan sneered and said: "What the generals want is nothing more than power, position and wealth. Most of what the soldiers want is nothing more than a movable type."
"Shuozhou is a bitter and cold place. Last year, Yuan Junzhang depleted Yunzhou's wealth and people. Since the end of last year, there has been a shortage of food and grass. If it were not for the supply of food and grass on behalf of the state, even if Yuan Junzhang suppressed it, I am afraid there would be rebellions from time to time."
"Handan...that's what Huairen said." Qin Wutong looked excited, "So, all we need to do is deal with the general?"
Li Shan nodded and said in a low voice: "Brother Wu Tong is personally appointed by His Majesty. I don't want to treat you like an outsider. I will inform you of any plans you have. I also ask for Brother Wu Tong's help."
"You must obey your orders."
Li Shan stopped talking and clapped his hands. After a while, Wang Junhao, who was guarding the door, led the gray-haired Liu Shirang inside, followed by a stout middle-aged man.
"Meet the King of Handan."
"Meet the King of Handan."
"In the wind and snow, even if I couldn't see ten steps, I dared to rush into the battle and defeated the Turks." Li Shan personally took the middle-aged man's arm and said with a smile: "Both brothers Liu Gong have the appearance of famous generals."
"It's just the courage of an ordinary man." Liu Shirang gave a rare smile.
This middle-aged man is Liu Shirang's younger brother Liu Bao, who has been with him all year round and is his most important assistant in the army. At the end of last year, Yuan Junzhang and Liu Shirang defeated the Turks. The origin was that Liu Bao, who led his old troops to the fortress, took the risk of flanking the enemy.
"Although Shuozhou is big, there are only three people who can be trusted." Li Shanyan asked everyone to sit down and suddenly laughed: "Brother Wu Tong had an affair with the Duke of Yiyang County before..."
"I've heard Mr. Liu's name for a long time, but I haven't been able to hide my face." Qin Wutong is from Taiyuan Prefecture, so he certainly knows what Li Shan means.
Liu Shirang's temper was famous throughout Hedong. In the past two or three years, he had a heated argument with Li Shenfu, the king of Xiangyi... and because of his arrogant temperament, he offended countless people.
Liu Shirang forced an awkward smile, but didn't say anything... maybe he didn't know what to say.
Li Shan laughed and said, "Brother Wu Tong is here for the first time in Mayi, so I would like to ask Mr. Liu to tell me something."
After Liu Shirang pondered for a moment, he said seriously: "Yuan Junzhang's subordinates are in disarray. He inherited Liu Wuzhou's and Song Jingang's old troops. He also plundered the young men of Shuozhou, Daizhou, and Yunzhou with his army. Now that he has entered the dynasty, the orders in the army are different, and each of them goes on separate lines.
Its matter."
"No one is leader?" Qin Wutong was a little surprised.
"Xi Duo is probably the leader, but many in the army are also wavering." Liu Shirang explained: "Xi Duo is from Mayi. He served under Liu Wuzhou in his early years, and later followed Yuan Junzhang. He rarely led troops and took care of internal affairs.
, raising food and grass, making plans, and being of great importance to Yuan Junzhang."