Li Shimin asked his chamberlain to pass on the order, then looked at Fang Xuanling and others, and said, "The plan to rescue the big man has been made. But who will be sent there as the general?"
Fang Xuanling said: "Your Majesty, I recommend Li Jing to go."
Li Jing can be called the great weapon of the Tang Dynasty.
His ability to lead troops was unparalleled, and he was the most powerful military master in Li Tang.
Changsun Wuji said seriously: "Your Majesty, I agree with Li Jing's going. Senior Brother Yao is good at marching and fighting, and his ability is outstanding. Only when he goes to take charge can people feel at ease."
Du Ruhui said: "I also agree with Li Jing's going, but we also need to mobilize elite soldiers and strong generals. In my opinion, if we bring together Hou Jun, he is also good at fighting and will be a tiger general."
After hearing this, Li Shimin said: "Then Li Jing will lead the army, but the specific number of people to go depends on the pharmacist's choice."
Fang Xuanling said: "Your Majesty is wise."
After agreeing to send troops, Li Shimin changed the topic and said: "Wang Can seemed to be silent during this period, but unexpectedly, his hand has already reached Yizhou. If Wang Can is not contained, he may be killed.
It has become a serious problem."
Fang Xuanling said: "It is indeed not easy to contain Wang Can."
Du Ruhui said: "For the time being, we don't need to take any action against Wang Can. Because the country is currently developing vigorously, the right way is to accumulate strength first. With strength, the Tang Dynasty can compete with the princes of the world. Furthermore, this time
Sending Li Jing into Yizhou is to contain Wang Can, and this step is enough."
Everyone was discussing and expressing their opinions.
But without exception, everyone thinks that Wang Can is difficult to deal with. You must know that both Li Yuanba and Li Xiaogong died at the hands of Wang Can.
"Tap! Tread!!"
A sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
Shusun Tong, dressed in long robes and a Jinxian crown, strode towards him. He entered the hall, clasped his hands together and said, "Shusun Tong, the Great Han Dynasty, pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."
Li Shimin waved his hand and said: "Mr. Shusun, no courtesy!"
"Thank you Emperor Tang!"
Shusun Tong cupped his hands and thanked him, then stood still and stood in the main hall with his head held high and his chest held high.
Li Shimin did not go into details and said straight to the point: "Mr. Shusun, I already know about your request for help. My condition is that Liu Bang cedes Ba County to the Tang Dynasty. As long as Liu Bang agrees, then I will send troops immediately."
Shusun Tong frowned and said: "Emperor Tang, if we talk about the main areas of the Han Dynasty, excluding Zoke County, Yuexi County and other places that are sparsely populated, Ba County alone occupies the territory of the Han Dynasty. You
Asking for ordinary territory as soon as you open your mouth is really a bit overwhelming."
"No, no, no!"
Du Ruhui stood up and said with a smile: "Mr. Shusun, I'm Du Ruhui. You said that letting the Han cede Ba County is equivalent to taking away half of the Han's territory. The problem is that the Han can no longer control Ba County and has lost Ba County. Since
If Bajun fell into the hands of Zang Tu, it was no longer under the rule of the Han Dynasty."
"Under such circumstances, asking the Emperor of the Han Dynasty to cede an abandoned place is already the utmost benevolence and justice."
"Although the journey from Datang to Yizhou is not far, it is a dangerous place and the road is not easy to walk. On the other hand, did Datang ask the Han to provide food, weapons, etc.?"
"No!"
"No matter what it is, I don't ask for a big man."
"Under such circumstances, if it is not the most benevolent and righteous condition, and it is not the most sincere condition, I really can't think of any other conditions that should be given."
Du Ruhui's tone was aggressive but sincere, and he said: "Mr. Shusun, we are not trying to blackmail Liu Bang or take advantage of him, but we are sincerely helping the big man."
When Shusun Tong heard this, he was immediately speechless.
Although he is also eloquent, but now that Ba County has fallen into the hands of Zang Tu, and the Han Dynasty is facing annihilation, he really can't find a reason to refute, but Shusun Tong can't help but refute.
Shusun Tong said: "Master Du, although Ba County fell into the hands of Zang Tu, as long as Zang Tu is wiped out, Ba County will still be the territory of the Han Dynasty."
"ha……"
Du Ruhui sneered and said: "The key to the problem is, is the Han Dynasty capable of quelling the Zangtu rebellion? Today's Han Dynasty is already in danger. If we delay for one more day, I am afraid that the Han Dynasty will be in danger of being captured. It is impossible for the Han Dynasty to pacify Bajun.
In this case, this means that Ba County no longer belongs to the Han Dynasty. Therefore, your argument does not hold water."
Fang Xuanling advised: "Mr. Shusun, you can keep the green hills without worrying about firewood. If the Han Dynasty is defeated, then there will be nothing. As long as the Han Dynasty is still there and Liu Bang can survive, there will be a chance for revenge."
."
"You are wasting time and energy negotiating with us here, and it may not help. In my opinion, ceding Bajun is not a harsh condition."
"After all, we still have to attack Zangtu ourselves and capture Bajun ourselves."
Fang Xuanling said: "According to your statement, Zangtu also surrendered to Shu with the support of Wang Can. Wang Can is not an easy person. If we want to attack Wang Can, we will also need to spend a lot of troops."
Changsun Wuji said again: "Mr. Shusun, it will be more beneficial to the big man to make a decision early."
"Okay, I agree."
Shusun Tong gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.
In order to hold the big man in his arms, he could only reluctantly cede Ba County. Moreover, before coming, Xiao He had already told him the bottom line. The ceding of Ba County was within Xiao He's tolerance.
Li Shimin laughed and said: "Mr. Shusun is a cheerful person. Since he agreed, I won't talk nonsense. Today, I will mobilize the army and go straight to Chengdu by water to resolve the crisis in Chengdu as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Emperor Tang."
Shusun Tong quickly thanked him.
From Chengdu to Xiangyang, you can take the waterway.
The army rides on the big ships of the Tang Dynasty and can directly send troops to Chengdu for support.
Li Shimin continued: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Shusun, please go down and rest. When I mobilize the army, you will return to Chengdu with the army."
Shusun Channel: "The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty accepted the good intentions. But the situation in Chengdu was like fire and water. So I took the first step and returned to Chengdu to bring the news back."
"That's fine!"
Li Shimin nodded.
Immediately, he asked someone to bring the contract, and both parties signed the contract, signed and pledged it, and concluded the agreement.
Shusuntong took the contract and left in a hurry.
Li Shimin sent Shusun Tong away, and immediately arranged for someone to notify Li Jing to enter the palace. When Li Jing entered the palace, Li Shimin directly told him about sending him to Yizhou. After speaking, Li Shimin asked: "Pharmacist, what do you think?"
Anything you want to add?”
Li Jing was nearly forty years old, with a slim figure, three short strands of beard under his chin, a dignified appearance, and a very elegant look. He smiled and said seriously: "Your Majesty, there is one thing I have overlooked."
Li Shimin asked: "What's the matter?"
Li Jing replied: "The emperor's arrangement just now is for Wei Chen to lead the troops by water and go directly to Chengdu. This means that I will not stop in Ba County. Since Liu Bang has already ceded Ba County, why not do it at the same time?
Capture Bajun? Instead, we must wait until Wang Can’s army is defeated before capturing Bajun?”
"Seizing Bajun as soon as possible has two advantages."
"First, Wang Can wants to attack Liu Bang, and his main forces will be concentrated on the Chengdu front line. The forces in Bajun will be weakened to a certain extent. This is our opportunity to capture Bajun."
"Once Wang Can reacts, he divides his troops to garrison Bajun. With Wang Can's army, it will be very difficult to capture Bajun."
“So, it’s better to act early.”
"Second, we helped Liu Bang defeat Wang Can. What if Liu Bang goes back on his word and in turn wants to prevent us from taking control of Bajun? When Liu Bang calms down, we are an expeditionary force, and we may not be able to check and balance Liu Bang."
"He may even be able to control us."
"So taking Bajun in advance can, on the one hand, prevent Liu Bang from going back on his word, and on the other hand, after defeating Wang Can, we can have the army as backup to coordinate our army's retreat."
Li Jing said seriously: "Your Majesty, I suggest that we dispatch another army to attack Bajun directly. The most suitable strategy is to send the two armies together. Moreover, after such a long period of rest, Datang has already gained strength."
After Li Shimin listened, he was also thinking carefully.
After careful consideration, I realized that I had indeed neglected Bajun just now.
They thought that once the contract was signed, everything was settled, but in fact, Bajun is still in Zang Tu's hands. To hold Bajun in his hands, certain means are needed.
Li Shimin rolled his eyes and said: "I think the pharmacist's suggestion is feasible. But the pharmacist went to Chengdu, so in Bajun, who is the most suitable to lead the army?"
Du Ruhui said without hesitation: "Your Majesty, I recommend that Hou Junji go there."
Du Ruhui admired Hou Junji's ability very much.
It was previously decided that Li Jing should go, and Du Ruhui suggested that Hou Junji should be allowed to assist Li Jing. But now that another army was to be sent, Du Ruhui proposed again, hoping that Hou Junji would lead the army.
In fact, Li Shimin also cherished Hou Junji's ability, but in Li Shimin's heart, there was a trace of worry.
In his previous life, he killed Hou Junji.
The reason is that Hou Junji stood on the side of Prince Li Chengqian and intended to support Li Chengqian, but failed in the end and was executed. Even so, Li Shimin did not kill Hou Junji completely, leaving a lasting legacy for the Hou family.
Li Shimin never felt sorry for Hou Junji.
To say I'm sorry, it was Hou Junji who was sorry for him, and it was Hou Junji who betrayed him.
But what does Hou Junji think?
This is something Li Shimin couldn't guess.
Therefore, Li Shimin still had some concerns in his heart.
After thinking for a while, Li Shimin said: "In my opinion, Qin Qiong is the most suitable leader for the attack on Bajun. Qin Qiong knows the general situation. Now that the spiritual energy of the world is growing, all the hidden wounds in his body have been discharged, and his martial arts has already returned to its peak. Not only that,
He also knows how to use troops, so I think it’s good for him to go to Bajun. In addition, we can also ask Li Ji to assist."
Li Ji, whose original name is Xu Shiji and whose courtesy name is Maogong, is a man with both strategic skills and outstanding talents.
As soon as his proposal came out, everyone agreed.
After all, Li Ji was also a famous general under Li Shimin. When it came to the use of troops, he was no less than Li Jing. With him leading the troops and Qin Qiong holding the battle, it would be foolproof.
After everyone agreed, Li Shimin made the decision and quickly arranged it.
The war machine of the Tang Dynasty has been turning since then. (To be continued)
