Fang Xuanling looked at the young man in front of him with admiring eyes. Before the war report came to Beijing at dusk today, the Tiance Mansion discussed the war. King Qin pointed out that the defeat of Lingzhou was quite strange and was not the means of the barbarians in the past.
Li Shimin's judgment was basically the same as Li Shan's. They both judged from the fact that Ren Gui won first and then lost that the Turks deliberately lured the enemy deeper, rather than the Turks being so lucky to come to the rescue in time.
The battle report sent by Qian Jiulong at dusk proved this. As early as half a month ago, Ashina She'er had proclaimed himself khan and formed an alliance with Tuli Khan. The civil strife in Wuyuan County had ceased.
For half a month, the Turks sat and watched as the Liang division was defeated time and time again by the Tang army. They were driven out of Lingzhou and even fled to Shuofang, only to defeat the main force of the Tang army at the critical moment.
Du Ruhui said softly: "Today in Liangyi Hall, Pei Hong recommended Huairen to be the general manager of the Lingzhou Road March."
Li Shan said bluntly: "It depends on His Highness's appointment."
In fact, Li Shan already knew what kind of choice Li Shimin would make, although he didn't know the reason yet... If Li Shimin wanted to refuse and prepare to lead the army, he would not ask the question just now.
Li Shimin was obviously testing himself to see if he had seen through the inside story of this battle, in order to determine whether he was qualified to preside over this battle.
Fang Xuanling sighed slightly, "If His Highness goes on an expedition, he will be able to repel the Turks, regain the three states, or behead the Liang thieves. Then when he returns to the court, the East Palace will definitely be unstable."
Li Shan thought for a while and nodded in agreement: "That's true. Although His Majesty didn't say it explicitly, everyone in the court knows that the Crown Prince has lost his moral character."
"His Royal Highness has great military exploits, but he has always been unable to enter the East Palace. This is simply because the Crown Prince has no fault. However, in the battle at Tiantai Mountain, the Crown Prince lost his moral character. This time, the Turks teamed up with Liang Shidu to invade south. If His Highness returns to the battlefield..."
At this point, Li Shan's words stopped abruptly and he was silent for a while before saying: "Your Majesty?"
"Huairen's poetry is unparalleled, but every time he writes a poem, he needs to think carefully. Unexpectedly, his mind is so quick." Li Shimin also had the intention to joke, "Father indeed has no intention of storing it easily for the time being."
"So..." Li Shan took a deep breath, "Does His Highness want a certain person to ask for a battle tomorrow?"
Li Shimin nodded slightly, "Huairen is a man of extraordinary talents. He defeated the Turks countless times. He is a famous general in the world. He is also one of the few generals who can take charge of his own affairs. Li Yaoshi is far away in the world. Since my father has no intention of easy storage for the time being, I can only ask him.
Huairen."
In the end, the main reason why Li Shan was chosen to challenge was Li Yuan's wishes.
After returning to Chang'an, Changsun Wuji once suggested that Li Shimin speed up the pace, pursue the victory, and seize the East Palace as soon as possible. However, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Ling Jing all advised Li Shimin to slow down and wait and see the situation for the time being... The so-called situation actually refers to Li Yuan.
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Through various signs, Li Shimin quickly sensed Li Yuan's intentions. His father was extremely disappointed with Li Jiancheng, but at the same time he had no intention of immediately changing his position. After all, deposing the crown prince was a matter of great importance, and such a decision could not be made so casually.
of.
Once Li Shimin really led the army into battle and finally defeated the Turks... Li Yuan was very confident in his son's military ability, and then he would have to depose the prince and establish him as the king of Qin.
And Li Jiancheng wouldn't understand this truth. Even if he really didn't understand, Pei Shiju would explain the matter clearly. Will Li Jiancheng accept this result?
What will Donggong do?
He might launch a mutiny, kill his father to seize the throne, he might manipulate grain and grass logistics, he might even secretly conspire with the Turks to try his best to cause the army to suffer another disastrous defeat... Li Shimin didn't think that his eldest brother could not do these things.
Will Li Jiancheng forget the fate of Yang Yong, the founding prince of the previous dynasty?
The first thing Yang Guang did after he ascended the throne was to force Yang Yong to commit suicide... Li Jiancheng didn't think his second brother would be merciful.
Therefore, once Li Shimin leads the army, Li Jiancheng will use all means. Even if Li Shan can control the Beiya Imperial Army, even if Li Shimin has great prestige and strength in the army and in the court, he may be able to ensure the supply of food and grass, but there are strong enemies outside.
, with internal worries, it is difficult for Li Shimin to defeat the Turks.
In such a situation, Li Shimin would choose Li Shan.
"The king of Huai'an has retreated to Longxi, Luo Yi, the king of Yanjun, has retreated to Longzhou, Qian Jiulong, and Hu Yan is in Jingzhou." Li Shimin described the battle situation in detail, "Don't rush into battle. Set up a big camp first. Although the Turks are fast horses and arrows,
But we will not bypass the army and go straight to Chang'an."
Li Shimin is not worried about seizing the heir now. He is very clear about the current situation. The further the situation goes, the more favorable the situation will be for him. Instead, he is worried about this war. If the Turks are allowed to invade Jingzhao and even drink from the Wei River, then what will happen to him?
It's a big trouble.
"Your Highness is right." Li Shan nodded slowly, "Now that the autumn harvest has just ended, there is enough food and grass. However, Lingzhou, Yuanzhou, and Huizhou have been experiencing wars and disasters for several months. The Turks cannot plunder much food, so they can't
It is impossible to cross mountains and ridges to invade Gyeongju and Ningju."
"That's right." Li Shimin said with a smile: "If you defend first, you may be able to weaken the enemy first, but you can't start a war."
Du Ruhui added: "The Turkic army is at its peak, just like Song Jingang who swept through Hedong Road."
Li Shan said: "His Royal Highness led the Guanzhong army to cross the Yellow River from Longmen and stationed troops in Baibi. They could not hold out until Song Jingang ran out of food and the army's morale was unstable. He tried to withdraw his troops. His Highness then launched a surprise attack with fine cavalry and defeated the Song Dynasty.
King Kong pursued them all night long, fighting eight times a day, and regained everything east of the river."
"Waiting for work at leisure, defeating the enemy by tiring him out, and attacking from behind. This is the way to victory."
This was Li Shimin's most common and most effective way of fighting. This was the case in several major victories in Qianshuiyuan, Baibi, Hulao Pass, and Luoshui. He would first hold on to tire out the enemy, and at the same time send partial divisions to cut off the enemy's food routes, and finally attack again.
Destroy the enemy quickly with lightning speed.
Li Shimin said with a smile: "Huairen often said after returning to the court that it was difficult to become a famous general because he was not good at war. After talking about it tonight, it can be seen that he has a little understanding."
"Your Highness, you can rest assured." Fang Xuanling said jokingly: "Huairen knew a little about poetry at that time. "Spring River Flowers on a Moonlit Night", "Ai Lian Shuo", and "Horse Shuo" are all capable of leaving a name in history."
Li Shimin laughed loudly, "If I win this battle and return to the court, my father won't know how to reward him."
"A few months ago, Huairen's magic soldiers descended from the sky to turn the tide, but because he has been enthroned as the county king..." Du Ruhui thought about how troublesome this was, smiled bitterly, shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, it's really hard for you to be kind to me."
Li Shan looked at Li Shimin and said, "Throughout the dynasties, monarchs have always been jealous of generals. It is said that great achievements are difficult to reward and must be punished with death. Chen Baxian, the founding monarch of Nanchen, is a clear proof."
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui's expressions changed slightly, and Li Shimin also put away his smile and stared at Li Shan with bright eyes.
Li Shan emphasized his tone, "But this dynasty is different. His Highness is a famous general in the world, and his prestige is unparalleled. When he ascends the throne, no matter who dares to rebel, he will be unable to withstand a blow."
"Therefore, the generals of this dynasty can fight on the battlefield without worrying about being tabooed by the king."
A smile reappeared on Li Shimin's face. It was indeed true. In terms of general talents, he was comparable to Sun Wu Weihuo, and he had enough confidence to control many generals under his command.
This is indeed the case in history. Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin, Zhang Gongjin, Zhang Shigui, Duan Zhixuan, and Li Shiji were all able to make great achievements during the Zhenguan Dynasty, ride horses and whips, and their relationship with Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was passed down to later generations.
Even Li Jing, who defeated the Eastern Turks, chose to live in seclusion and remain safe... As for Hou Junji, he committed suicide.
Li Shan's words are sincere. Think about Han Xin in the early Han Dynasty, think about the drinking of wine to release military power in the early Song Dynasty, think about Zhu Yuanzhang's cruel methods in the early Ming Dynasty, Li Shimin is indeed the best in this regard.
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However, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui on the side didn't think so. They all recalled Ling Jing's words that Huairen was not good at flattery.