Hai'er suggested that Chai Shao should be the main general, as he has strong defensive ability and has never been defeated so far."
The eldest son Li Jiancheng actually suggested that his most valued son-in-law, Chai Shao, should be the general. Li Yuan frowned slightly, took a deep look at the eldest son, and asked: "Why would it be most appropriate for Jiancheng to have Chai Shao as the general?"
"Father, Chai Shao is very loyal to our Li family. He is also the son-in-law of our Li family and can be regarded as one of his own. This is one of the reasons. Second, as the boy said just now, Chai Shao has never been defeated, except for his ability to lead troops in combat.
Besides, with my good luck, I should be able to win the victory." Li Jiancheng seemed serious, but actually said with some anxiety in his heart.
These two reasons given by Li Jiancheng seem to be reasonable, but in fact they are far-fetched, especially since the opponent is the Far Eastern Army led by Wang Junlin, these reasons are a joke.
"I'm afraid that Chai Shao is too young and inexperienced, so he is no match for Wang Junlin." Li Yuan sighed and said casually.
"Father, Chai Shao is actually no younger than Wang Junlin." Li Jiancheng saw that his father wanted to refuse, so he quickly added.
A look of disappointment flashed across Li Yuan's eyes. Who was Wang Junlin? How could he be compared to Chai Shao? He actually put the two of them together and judged them based on their similar age.
"Let me think about it again! You stand down first." Li Yuan said quietly, not wanting to undermine the eldest son's confidence.
"Yes, kid, please retire." Li Jiancheng had already seen that his father was not willing to send Chai Shao as the general. He felt a little regretful, thinking that he had managed to secretly win Chai Shao into his camp, but Chai Shao's first request was
Unable to help him realize it, I wonder if Chai Shao will be disappointed with himself after learning about it and will he join his brother Shimin.
With this thought in his mind, Li Jiancheng sighed secretly, bowed respectfully, and retreated.
Li Yuan sighed, shook his head, and pondered for a moment, then he guessed what deal the eldest son had probably reached with his son-in-law.
At this time, a soldier reported at the door: "Report to the prince, Pei Changshi wants to see you."
Li Yuan has always had great trust in Pei Ji, and Pei Ji not only represents the Wenxi Pei family, but also represents the entire Hedong family and nobles. No matter what he thinks in his heart, he cannot wait for his gesture, so he quickly said: "Please come to Pei quickly.
Come in, Changshi!"
It didn't take long before Pei Ji walked steadily into the room with a smile on his face, bowed to Li Yuan, and said respectfully but confidently: "My humble minister Pei Ji, please see His Highness the King of Tang!"
The most satisfying thing about the Pei family is that they are good at talking. This is true for Pei Shiju, the favored minister around Yang Guang, and the same is true for Pei Ji in front of him. They know what words can make the monarch happy and can speak to the monarch's heart.
Li Yuan has just become king, and everyone has already called him Prince or His Highness, but he has not established a court after all, so his ministers still call themselves subordinates or subordinates, and never call themselves ministers. This kind of title is the title between the monarch and his ministers.
.
But from the bottom of his heart, Li Yuan liked the civil and military officials under him to call themselves this way, but he couldn't say it, and even the Li family couldn't say it. And Pei Ji, who represented the powerful families and nobles in Hedong, was the most popular.
The right candidate.
Therefore, Li Yuan's mood suddenly improved a lot at this time, but he pretended to be sad and said: "Is it related to Pei Changshi visiting Mayi County in person for Wang Junlin?"
Pei Ji immediately showed admiration and respect on his face and said: "Your Highness is wise, and this is why I am here."
"Come here, give Pei Changshi a seat." Li Yuan ordered the waiters on the left and right.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Highness." Every word Pei Ji said was what Li Yuan liked to hear.
Li Yuan asked Pei Ji to sit down and ordered tea to be served. Pei Ji thanked the saint again and then respectfully said: "Your Highness, I think that to deal with Wang Junlin's Far Eastern Army, elite soldiers are one thing, but more importantly, we must choose
To the general, otherwise, no matter how many troops there are and how strong the combat power is, it will probably be a disaster."
Li Yuan looked deeply convinced, nodded slightly, and sighed: "What Pei Changshi said is absolutely true. Jiancheng also said the same thing just now, and recommended the general to me, but the matter is so important that I was hesitant for a while.
, can’t make up my mind.”
Pei Ji's eyes flashed and he asked curiously: "Your Highness, I dare to ask, who does the prince recommend to be the general?"
Li Yuan glanced at Pei Ji and said, "Jian Jiancheng recommends my son-in-law Chai Shao as the general."
Pei Ji secretly thought in his heart that the prince has actually attracted Chai Shao, and it seems that he has done a lot of things secretly these days. Unfortunately, Chai Shao has always been talented, but he has always been arrogant. Li Jiancheng's mediocre ability may not make Chai Shao sincerely loyal.
Thoughts were swirling in his mind, but Pei Ji didn't reveal anything on his face. He frowned and thought for a while, then solemnly shook his head and said, "Your Highness, I'm afraid it's not appropriate to use Chai Shao as your general!"
Li Yuan asked curiously: "Why is Pei Changshi so sure about this matter?"
"Your Highness, although Chai Shao has great military exploits and is known as the leader of the army, he has never been defeated. But so far, he has never fought a battle with the Far Eastern Army, and he has never had any confrontation with Wang Junlin. He has never even fought against Wang Junlin.
Having met Wang Junlin, you don’t have to worry if you are facing someone else, but facing Wang Junlin, do you think Chai Shaoneng is his opponent?"
Pei Ji's words touched Li Yuan's mind. He was still a little hesitant at first, but now he made up his mind that he would never send Chai Shao as the main general, and at most he could command a group of troops.
Seeing that he had successfully persuaded Li Yuan, Pei Ji immediately said: "Wei Chen came today to remind His Highness that Hedong is rich in money and food and has a large population. There is no need to worry about military food. The people are much richer than other places. There is no need to worry about the king coming to deal with Wa."
The Gang Army's trick is to incite the people to revolt. However, if the frontline war is unstable, it is likely to be succeeded by the Far East Army's Military Intelligence Office and other secret forces. Therefore, Wei Chen believes that the chief general must be experienced, act steadily, and not be in a hurry to conquer the king.
beat,
But we must be able to firmly hold our position and defend the line of defense. In addition, Wei Chen heard that Wang Junlin has countless capable people and is known to be a strange person, who is good at persuading surrender. He must not use an outsider as the chief general, not even the prince's son-in-law. Wei Chen recommends Li Shuliang
He is the chief general and Liu Hongji is the deputy general."
Li Yuan heard the words and pondered for a while. He felt that what Pei Ji said was very reasonable, but he also had some scruples. He frowned and said: "But if I use my Li family as a general, will it make the generals under his command dissatisfied? The lesson learned from Yang Su's defeat that year
Shang Zai, at that time, I used Yang as my general, and I was worried that I might make the same mistake as Yang Su."
Pei Ji immediately smiled and said: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Although Yang Su was known as the number one man in the Sui army back then, he was only a general, not an emperor. Naturally, he didn't know how to use human skills. This is far from the same as Your Majesty."
Than."
Li Yuan was secretly happy when he heard these words. He stroked his beard, nodded reservedly, said nothing, and signaled Pei Ji to continue.
Pei Ji was encouraged and continued: "What's more, although Yang Su himself had great talents back then, most of his sons from Yang Xuangan on down, as well as his brothers and clan members, were mediocre people, otherwise Yang Su wouldn't have been able to do it at that time.
Li Mi was reused, but Li Mi ruined the big thing, because Li Mi was very ambitious and had two intentions. But now there are many talented people in your Highness's clan. The prince and the second son are both civil and military, so they should be put to great use. Let's talk about the Wu Zhong clan,
Emphasizing literature and talents is the best way to defend your country, so your Highness need not be suspicious."
Li Yuan was moved, and although Pei Ji did not say it explicitly, he actually implied that the most suitable candidate was the second son Li Shimin.
However, Li Shimin wanted to directly prevent the main force of the Far Eastern Army and Youzhou Luo Yi in the east, which was no lighter than the task of Mayi County in the west.
And Li Xiaogong went south to Bashu. Li Shuliang was slightly inferior, but he was steady and skilled in military affairs. Although he could not compare with Wang Junlin, he was still competent.
However, Li Shuliang was still a little behind after all, and needed the assistance of a strategist, so it was perfect.
Thinking of this, Li Yuan smiled and said: "Although Li Shuliang and Liu Hongji have the talent to lead troops, their literary skills are not good, and the nobles in Hedong have always been led by the Wenxi Pei family. The battle with Wang Junlin will not be over in a short time.
Money and food are the key. It is very likely that families in Hedong will need to generously donate money and food to support the front line. This will also trouble Pei Changshi to deal with it. Therefore, I want to ask Pei Changshi to go with him to save Hedong from the north. I don’t know that Pei Changshi
Are you willing?"
Pei Ji thought to himself that in this way, all the goals he had come here for today had been achieved. He was overjoyed, but without showing any signs of expression on his face, he bowed and said: "Your Highness has an order, and all the humble ministers must obey with their lives!"
Li Yuan immediately ordered Li Shuliang to be appointed Marshal of the March of Hedong Road and General of You Xiaowei. All the troops and horses of the counties in Hedong were under his command. He also appointed Liu Hongji as deputy general and Pei Ji as marching commander. He led 70,000 elite troops from Guanzhong to support Hedong, and