In the Linhu Palace, Li Yuan was listening to the arguments of the people below with an unswerving expression. From time to time, he deliberately glanced at the blushing prince, and then at the King of Qin who looked as usual.
After learning about the battle report of Lingzhou's defeat, Li Yuan's first reaction was why Dalang's vision was so bad!
From Li Gaoqian back then, to Li Shenfu a few months ago, and then to Ren Gui this time, every one of them suffered a loss, and every one ended in a huge defeat.
Li Yuan's second reaction was to immediately ask his second son, King Qin, without even waiting for the prince to arrive because the East Palace was far away. This was a signal that made the prince uneasy. Obviously, Li Yuan might ask King Qin to lead the expedition.
The existence of Li Shimin was Li Yuan's or Li Tang's military trump card. As a backhand, when encountering difficulties that were difficult to solve, as long as Li Yuan released this son, all difficulties would be solved.
In the fourth year of Wude, Liu Heitai raised troops for the first time and defeated almost all the famous generals of the Tang army. Li Yuan had to let Li Shimin go on an expedition. As a result, Liu Heitai was defeated on the banks of the Luoshui River in just three months.
But this time, Li Yuan was even more anxious, because the battlefield was on Guannai Road, not Hedong, which was separated by the Yellow River, and not Hebei Road in Taihang Shandong.
Similar things actually happened. Li Yuan clearly remembered that eight years ago, just two months after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Western Qin invaded the south. Liu Wenjing, Yin Kaishan, Murong Luohu, Li Anyuan, Liu Hongji and other eight generals were defeated. In the end, Li Shimin was defeated in Qianshuiyuan.
Turn the tide.
Qianshui was originally located in Jingzhou, but now the Turkic front is approaching Jingzhou.
Therefore, Li Yuan's most direct idea is to play Li Shimin's trump card.
But it was obvious that the East Palace would never let Li Shimin return to the battlefield and hold military power. That would simply be putting Prince Li Jiancheng's head under the sword of King Qin.
If you think about it carefully, you, Li Jiancheng, could use such cunning means to almost let your father and brother die in Tiantai Mountain. Wouldn't Li Shimin, who escaped, do the same?
Li Shimin's prestige in the military is unparalleled. He has always refused to break the rules before... But now, it is you, Li Jiancheng, who broke the rules first.
However, to Li Yuan's surprise, Li Jiancheng's reasons were quite sufficient, and the candidates he recommended were also of sufficient weight.
Li Jiancheng recommended Li Shan, King of Handan. First of all, among the famous generals in the world, only Li Huairen had rich experience in fighting against the Turks, and he had defeated the Turks several times. Ashina She'er, one of the Turks' main generals, was also defeated by him last year.
Li Shan even captured him alive with his own hands.
Secondly, the Turks sent troops to attack Shuozhou, and it was difficult for Duke Li Jing to escape, and there was no time... At this time, Li Jing was urgently transferred back to Beijing. If the Tang army did not resist at all, the Turks would have arrived in Chang'an before Li Jing received the edict.
.
Third, this is what Li Jiancheng is saying now, "In the battle at Tiantai Mountain, my second brother was injured. He has not recovered yet and still needs to recover. What's more, the Tiance Mansion suffered heavy losses and many generals were injured. How can I bear it for my brother?"
"
Li Jiancheng was sincere and sincere, while Li Shimin was expressionless and thinking about MMP in his heart, but what he said was really true, at least on the surface.
Not to mention Dugu Yanyun, Zhai Changsun, Liang Jianfang and other generals who died in battle, Qin Qiong is still lying in bed, Hou Junji, Cheng Yaojin, five or six capable generals either have broken arms or legs, or injuries.
I have been exercising my muscles and bones for a hundred days, and now I can barely get out of bed and walk a few steps.
Even Li Shimin himself was the same. Although he had already started to preside over the Ministry of Secretariat, he went to the Yamen to take charge of the matter the next day. This was Li Yuan's order. In name, it was to let Erlang recover from his injuries, but in fact it had a profound meaning... Even if Li Yuan really wanted to make Chu Yi
, nor would Li Shimin be allowed to completely control Shangshu Province.
In fact, the reasons given by Li Jiancheng were defensible even if they were called nonsense, and everyone in the palace knew the hurdles. It was nothing more than pushing Li Huairen, the king of Handan, to stop the king of Qin.
The hall fell silent, Li Yuan stroked his beard and pondered in silence, and all the ministers and ministers below were attentive, but Pei Shiju raised his head and looked at the prince Li Jiancheng.
In fact, Donggong received the news at dusk yesterday. After all, Ren Gui was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the march on Lingzhou Road. The Donggong line had many generals under his command. There were manpower in this regard, and the envoy to Beijing today was Qian Jiu, the governor of Jingzhou.
Those sent by Long came to Beijing one day late.
After receiving the battle report, Prince Li Jiancheng was at a loss and immediately summoned Wang Gui, Wei Zheng, and invited Pei Shiju.
There is no doubt that there is only one thing that the East Palace has to do, which is not to allow Li Shimin to regain military power. In this case, Pei Shiju recommended Li Huairen, the king of Handan, to be the commander-in-chief of the Lingzhou Road March... For this reason, Li Jiancheng, Wang Gui, and Wei Zhengdu
I can't help but be moved.
Although it is said that Pei Xuanji's death in Huating was not directly related to Li Huairen, it was somewhat involved after all. However, Pei Shiju put aside his past grudges and resolutely recommended him. What kind of sentiment is this!
Faced with Wei Zheng's praise, Pei Shiju was thick-skinned and a little bit hot.
Having suffered so many losses before, why would Pei Shiju do it again?
Pei Shiju thought deeply. He didn't believe that that guy's luck would always be so good!
In the past few confrontations with the Turks, Ma Yixue attacked the camp at night. The key was to unexpectedly turn back and attack. The victory at Yanmen was to defend first and then attack. The key was to cooperate inside and outside. Liu Shirang just happened to lead the reinforcements to arrive, while the alliance led the troops to stay away.
As a result, Yugushe was defeated and captured.
The battle in Guji Town was even more lucky. Not to mention that when Li Shan left the city to fight to the death, thousands of Tang cavalry came to rescue him. It was just that Li Shan shot down the Khan flag with one arrow... Pei Shiju couldn't find any precedent in the history books.
This guy is so lucky!
Moreover, Li Shan's ability to hold on to Guji Town for many days in that battle was largely due to Tuli Khan's sitting back and watching.
But this time it was different. On time, Sheerdu had joined forces with Tuli Khan and went south. It was obvious that his mind had been made up. Pei Shiju could not imagine the possibility of Li Shan defeating the opponent... There were tens of thousands of cavalry, and Guannai Road
After two major defeats within a few months, the troops were no longer enough.
I can’t believe you’re so lucky!
As for Li Shan's possible reluctance... Pei Shiju also thought about it. Li Shan had resigned from the previous two posts as the marching commander of Lingzhou Road with sufficient reasons, fearing that the Turks would invade the south in a large-scale to avenge the news.
But now that the Turks have all reached the borders of Longzhou and Jingzhou, this reason no longer exists. If Li Shan refuses to fight, not to mention that his reputation will plummet, not to mention that Li Yuan's perception of him will plummet, the key is that Li Yuan can only choose
Use the King of Qin.
At that time, Pei Shiju will spread the news again and expose the relationship between Li Shan and Li Shimin. Even without any evidence, it will be enough to make Li Yuan suspicious... Li Shan refuses to go to war, is it to push out the King of Qin?
After all, Li Shimin regained military power after many years, which was a shock to the East Palace, and it was not a good thing for Li Yuan himself. If he heard such rumors, Li Yuan would suddenly discover that Li Shimin had military power outside.
And Li Huairen, the king of Handan, who is said to have joined his command, controlled the Beiya imperial army and took charge of the imperial palace.
Not to mention how much Li Yuan would believe it, at least as an emperor, this kind of natural vigilance is not lacking.
Prince Li Jiancheng said softly: "Father, why don't you let Huairen come to see you?"
Pei Shiju was excited in his heart and really wanted to see what choice that guy would make...Whether he fought or refused, he would step into an unavoidable trap.
Li Yuan hesitated for a long time before nodding and asking the palace officials to summon him. Unexpectedly, the palace officials reported that the King of Handan was nowhere to be seen.
Li Yuan laughed and cursed, he also knew that Li Shan would come back to Zhuangzi every day in the afternoon, but Pei Shiju almost blurted out... If this official escaped, he must have a secret meeting with the King of Qin!