It was a quiet night, and there was a bonfire burning in Zhang Xun's tent. He was wearing a big cloak, and his face was still a little pale. His body was getting worse and worse. Now he had to drink decoction every day to fall asleep, otherwise he would fall asleep in the middle of the night.
Will wake up with a violent cough.
Behind Zhang Xun, stood a shadow, which was none other than his most capable killer, Gui Ying.
Zhang Tianai didn't know about the existence of the ghost shadow, and Zhang Tianai had never discovered the ghost shadow's extraordinary dexterity skills.
"Ghosting, is there any news about Li Mu?"
"Master, someone once saw a person who looked like Li Mu at the border of Yanqi and Gaochang. But by the time my subordinates arrived, I didn't know where he was." After a pause, the ghost said again: "Master, I'm
If you are not doing well in your work, please ask the master to punish you."
"Hey, what's the punishment?" Zhang Xun smiled and said: "I have been planning for so long, and finally I have waited for this day. You and I are brothers. I saved your life. You have to call me master."
I can understand, but in my heart, you are just like my old brothers. It’s just that your eldest brother is not going to die soon. Maybe it’s just an obsession in this life.”
Sighing again, Zhang Xun said: "Now that the Tang Dynasty has become powerful, there is no way for us to make plans with a small number of people. Most of the small countries in the Western Regions are under the control of the Western Turks and are too far away from us. Now we can make plans.
, there are only Gaochang and Yanqi. Li Mu has gone to Yanqi, let's plot against Gaochang. Tell Hou Junji's secretary Zhang Yi, who is joining the army, what I mean. He is also my old brother. He knows what to do.
How to do it."
The ghost didn't ask any more questions and responded. The figure disappeared in a flash.
…
Liangyi Hall.
Compared with the liveliness of the previous court meetings, the court meetings at this time were eerily quiet. News of border emergencies came one after another, and the barbarians seemed to be in good contact and were working together to cause trouble for the Tang Dynasty. Even though Li Shimin was the hero
, which can’t help but be exhausted mentally and physically.
Now it is time to catch up with the spring plowing, which is the time when food and grass are in short supply. At this time, the four sides are fighting, which damages the vitality of the Tang Dynasty. However, no matter which side is ignored, it is a big hidden danger. After Li Shimin has been on the throne, he finally feels a little helpless, even if he fought against the East last year.
During the Turks, he had never been so powerless.
"Why is no one talking?" Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng and said, "Wei Zheng, can't you speak? You can tell me, what should I do now? What should the Tang Dynasty do?"
Wei Zheng knew that Li Shimin would definitely call his name, so he stood up with his back teeth gritted and said: "Your Majesty, I am a civil servant and I am not familiar with military matters. Those who don't know can't talk nonsense. My opinion is irrelevant. Please ask more questions."
Ask someone else. Cheng Yaojin, do you have nothing to say?"
"Well, you common man, you have brought me with you now!" Cheng Yaojin cursed, but he smiled and said: "But it doesn't matter this time, I am planning to go into battle! Your Majesty, please give me the order, my old Cheng's ax has been
It’s unbearable!”
"Cheng Aiqing, you should stay in the capital. If you leave, who will protect Chang'an City?"
Cheng Yaojin pointed at Li Xiaogong and said: "How can the Prince of Hejian County rebel here? Besides, Your Majesty is also a general going into battle, so what are you afraid of? Your Majesty, I am not too talkative, I think.
It's no big deal. When Datang conquered the country, the conditions were much worse than now. Why don't we still conquer the country? There's no reason why we won't be able to do it after a few years, right? It's nonsense to talk about it, let's just copy him
Let’s do it!”
When everyone heard this, they all rolled their eyes. You are a rough man. You said such words. Why is there no difference? People are not the youngest? When everyone is like you, you are a big living donkey! Take Qin Qiong as an example. Back then, Qin Shubao was a person who was frightened by everyone, but now he is already stooped. Back then, he was brave enough that no one would deserve it, but now a young pawn could probably kill him. Can this be compared?
Li Shimin sighed and said: "At this time, I really wish Li Mu could be here. He has a quick mind and there must be a way. But this kid's life or death is uncertain, and I don't know how he is doing now."
"Report"
A guard ran in shouting. This was of course against the rules, but the situation was urgent now and nothing could be bigger than the military situation. Li Shimin specifically ordered that once there is any news, no matter what he is doing, it must be sent over immediately.
"Dingxiang flying pigeons pass the letter!" The imperial guard presented the letter to Eunuch Gao. Eunuch Gao hurriedly handed it to Li Shimin. Li Shimin glanced at it, frowned, and wondered: "What is the name of this thing written by Li Mu? Does anyone recognize it?" What?"
Suddenly Li Shimin saw Changsun Chong in the corner and said, "Chong'er, come and see, has your mentor taught you this?"
Changsun rushed up to take the letter, took a look in his hand, and said: "Your Majesty, this is called Pinyin. It was invented by my mentor to teach children literacy. This is what the children in the Salesian Bureau are learning."
"You mean, a three-year-old can recognize it?"
Changsun Chong nodded, and Li Shimin was a little embarrassed and said, "Okay, just tell me what you mean! Li Mu is really just making things up, what are you doing?"
"The teacher should keep it secret." Changsun Chong defended Li Mu. Seeing that Li Shimin's face was a little ugly, he quickly explained: "The teacher meant that he was going to Yanqi to talk to Nishe. The reason for talking to Nishe was that Xi The vanguard of the Turks was originally a tribe of Nishu. They intended to rebel and wanted to join forces with the Tang Dynasty to defeat Khan Si Yehu and make Nishu the Great Khan. If this can be achieved at this time, the Western Turks' plan to advance eastward may be stopped."
As soon as this statement came out, the officials were in an uproar!
Is this good news? Of course it is! Now that the barbarians invade the border, if what Li Mu said can be implemented effectively, then all crises will be solved. To put it bluntly, Tuyuhun, Xue Yantuo and their like would not dare to challenge the Tang Dynasty alone. , it’s just that the Western Turks are there to support them, and they just want to take a sip of the soup. As long as the crisis of the Western Turks can be solved, other crises in the Tang Dynasty will be solved easily, whether it is Xue Yantuo or Tuyuhun, maybe it will be solved. An envoy will be sent to Chang'an to explain, and the crisis will no longer be a crisis.
It was just such a big thing, something that made all the ministers helpless, why did it happen to be Li Mu again?
"Oh, I haven't finished yet." Changsun Chong flipped over to the back of the letter and said: "Here's what General Li Ji said. He said that the spies reported that the Luotuo Valley pass collapsed. Some people said that it was his mentor who did it. Now in the west The Turkic cavalry can't get through the Camel Valley at all. If they want to come over, they have to cross over or take a detour. No matter what they do, they won't be able to assemble within ten days, and they can delay it for at least another ten days."
"Ten days!" Li Shimin's military sensitivity was unrivaled by anyone present except Li Jing. He thought about it for a moment and understood. Yanqi is less than 700 miles away from Luotuo Valley and Gaochang, and there is no way to go back and forth. Ten days. When Li Mu is contacted and returned to Dingxiang, the Turks will not be able to complete the assembly. The Tang Dynasty has time to prepare, just enough to catch them off guard!
Li Mu, Li Mu, you did not disappoint me after all!
Li Shimin was overjoyed. Just as he was about to praise Li Mu, he thought of what happened between him and Wang Ou, and his face suddenly turned ugly again.
"Let's just say his merits and demerits are equal. He is the cause of everything!" Li Shimin snorted and said, "Tell Li Ji and Hou Junji that in this battle with the Turks, they can only win but not lose. If they lose, they will
There’s no need to come back to see each other again.”
"Retreat!"
…
Hou Junji hurriedly hurried and finally arrived at Dingxiang five days in advance. Although he had the same rank as Li Ji, he was also the Minister of the Ministry of War and held the tiger charm given by Li Shimin. Therefore, after Hou Junji arrived, he became
He became the chief general of the Tang Army, and Li Ji retired as deputy general. Just like when he fought against the Eastern Turks, Li Jing was the chief general and Li Ji was the deputy general.
Li Ji is not someone who strives for credit. He longs for someone to take the lead so that he does not have to take responsibility. The handover went very smoothly. Hou Junji learned the art of military management from Li Jing, and he was not completely brave or foolhardy.
After discussing with Li Ji and others, they decided to use a deception. They used a battalion of soldiers and horses to pretend to be Western Turkic cavalry crossing the mountain, pretending to be fighting against the Tang Dynasty, and leaving Gaochang with space behind them. If Gaochang sent troops to attack,
, then cut off their retreat, so that this group of soldiers and horses cannot look at each other, first annihilate the little family foundation in Gaochang, and see if the tower gate dares to attack Qin Muchu.
This strategy seemed simple, and seemed to be full of loopholes, but in fact there was no big problem. Li Ji thought about it for a while, and then agreed. That night, a pretending battalion of soldiers and horses left the city early, and in the early morning of the next day, Hou Jun gathered
The banner was shown and they launched a mighty attack on Gaochang.
Ju's father and his son stood on the city wall, looking at the situation below, their courage was cracked with fear. The overwhelming number of people and horses coming over was like a torrent of steel. Wuyangyang didn't know how many people there were, and among all the armored men in Gaochang
The scholars may not be as good as others. If the city wall is not thick enough, it is just a matter of one drum.
"Son, when will the Western Turks come? It will take a few more days. I'm afraid." Ju Wentai's voice became weaker and weaker. He couldn't sleep for the past few days. Coupled with the fear, he had already
I am almost bedridden. But I am always worried if I don’t see it with my own eyes, so this kind of conversation happens every day.
"Don't worry, father. The child has promised a lot of money. Even if these Turks have no feelings and just want money and food, they will be willing to sacrifice their lives. After all, our place is not a good place. The Turks are nomadic people and they look down on them.
We won’t stick around. If we serve them well, we will have a backer, and Datang won’t have to be afraid in the future!"
"Really..." Ju Wentai still didn't believe it, but he couldn't change the scene in front of him, so he could only sigh silently and was helped down the city gate by his son.
"Wait a minute!" Suddenly Ju Zhisheng called to Ju Wentai who was about to walk down. He pointed at the smoke and dust in the distance and said, "Father, look, isn't this coming?"
"Coming?" Ju Wentai was excited and shouted: "If no one comes, I will die of anxiety. Open the city gate quickly and let them in!"
"No!" Ju Zhisheng quickly stopped him and said, "Father, please don't forget that the Western Turks are also a potential threat. It's better to watch them fight first. If there is a chance, let's fish in troubled waters."
"Okay!" Ju Wentai glanced at it reluctantly. At this moment, the two teams were already fighting.
The 'battle situation' was very fierce, but the distance was still very far, and it didn't look like a drama at all. Suddenly, the 'Western Turkic Cavalry' acted out turned its horse and fled, and the Tang Dynasty immediately chased it, with its back like this
Stayed out.
"How about this?" Ju Wentai stamped his feet anxiously and said, "If you don't rush for such a good opportunity, wouldn't you miss the opportunity given by God?"
"Father, the child is still a little worried."
"What are you worried about?" Ju Wentai gave the order regardless of Ju Zhisheng's thoughts. He drove the chariot himself, followed the few cavalrymen who left the station, and chased directly behind the Tang Dynasty cavalry.
Fell into the trap perfectly.
After running for dozens of miles, there was only a roar, and the Tang troops who had been waiting for a long time came out and surrounded Ju Wentai and his party. Ju Zhisheng, who stood on the city wall and saw the whole process, stamped his feet in annoyance, but he did not rush out.
, rush out now, Gaochang City's small number of troops will never be able to resist it, and they will immediately be submerged in the copper and iron walls of the Tang army.
Ju Wentai was captured!
…
The emperor may still have some affection for the betrayer and be able to give him some mercy. But in whose hands it fell, Gaochang betrayed the Tang Dynasty. Especially at this time, everything should be quick and simple. Hou Junji and Li Ji agreed.
In my opinion, there is no use even if you keep it, you might as well kill it.
Almost all the people who came out with Ju Wentai were killed. Only one messenger was left, and Ju Wentai himself. Hou Junji asked Ju Wentai to write a letter, and asked the remaining survivor to deliver the letter
He took it back and stated that he would only give it one day to think about it.
After the messenger left, Ju Wentai was imprisoned. No one knew the content of the letter except Hou Junji and Ju Wentai.
It seems like this, but in fact, some people know it.
For example, Hou Junji's counselors.
Hou Junji was Li Shimin's bodyguard. Even if he learned the art of war, he was not considered a brave and resourceful person. Especially after becoming Minister of the Ministry of War, he had never been good at handling copywriting, so he
The army invited several recordkeepers to join the army to help him with paperwork and detailed matters.
His move today was proposed by Zhang Yi, a recorder who joined the army. He said that Gaochang is located in an important place in the Western Regions, with countless merchants coming and going. Gaochang has been a country for hundreds of years, and he must have accumulated a lot. If he did not extort a fortune
, isn’t it a loss?
Such a despicable word as blackmail no longer has such despicable connotations in the context of the Tang Dynasty. This is all thanks to one person, that is Li Mu. It was he who pioneered this blackmail and what it is today.
situation.
Hou Junji was indeed moved. It was not for himself, but because he had deeply realized the importance of money through various previous budgets and the subsequent process of filling the shortfall. He needed money, and this sum,