In late December, Li Zhiyun received news from Li Shimin that Donghai Li Zitong and Jianghuai Du Fuwei, together with more than 100,000 people, were coming to Hulao.
At this time, Hulao had been captured, and Wang Xingben was beheaded by Xuanjia's army. Li Shimin decided to rely on Hulao to counterattack Li Zitong and Du Fuwei, leaving them in the Central Plains forever.
After Shen Faxing's defeat, Li Zitong occupied Jiangdu, immediately proclaimed himself emperor, and founded the Wu Kingdom.
Du Fuwei, who was in control of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, was granted the title of King of Chu and the Chief Superintendent of the Southeast Road because he once petitioned Yang Tong of Luoyang to declare himself a minister.
In the troubled times of the late Sui Dynasty, it is not surprising that various grass-head kings were granted chaotic titles.
Xingyang County, Yangwu.
Li Zitong and Du Fuwei met here to discuss the plan to rescue Wang Shichong.
When the two sides met, the atmosphere was extremely cold. The reason was the same, because Li Zitong once tried to attack Jiangdu, but was defeated by Du Fuwei, and the relationship between the two parties was not harmonious. There is also a more important reason, that is, Li Zitong once surrendered to Du Fu
Although he is powerful, he harbors evil intentions and wants to swallow up Du Fuwei's inheritance.
This time I was able to come over to discuss cooperation only because of Li Tang's threat.
"Du Gong, I won't say any other nonsense. You are also a smart man. You should know that once Wang Shichong is defeated, the Tang Dynasty will go out to fight everywhere. Then you and I will not be able to stop the Tang Dynasty. So this time, I hope that both of us will
Let's put aside our past grudges and join hands to fight against the enemy," Li Zitong said.
Du Fuwei's face was covered with stubble. After listening to Li Zitong's words, he nodded and said: "This is what I want to say. Brother Li is a person that Du can still trust."
Despite the hostility between the two parties, Du Fuwei did admire Li Zitong. He had known Li Zitong for many years that he was generous, charitable and considerate of his subordinates.
It's just that this man is ambitious and a young kid.
Li Zitong continued: "I have prepared a letter to send to the Tang camp, asking the Tang army to retreat. If they are afraid of our retreat, we can save one battle this time and preserve our strength."
"So good."
"Since Mr. Du has no objection, I will send someone to send it away."
"good."
The two sides discussed for an hour, then dispersed and returned to their respective military bases.
On the way, Fu Gongyou sneered and said: "This Li Zitong is really shameless. Back then he tried to take away the king's inheritance, but now he is still so calm. He is indeed a traitor."
Fu Gongyou and Du Fuwei were half-brothers. Du Fuwei respected Fu Gongyou very much, so he called him brother.
"Brother, let's put Li Zitong's affairs aside for now. This time we have solved the crisis in Luoyang. I will lead my troops to destroy him when I get back." Du Fuwei's face was cold.
In the eleventh year of Daye, Li Zitong came to surrender to him. It was in that year that he mistakenly trusted Li Zitong, a traitor and villain, and almost died.
Fu Gongyou said: "Actually, what I mean is that we can take this opportunity to eradicate Li Zitong and Wang Shichong together."
"What do you mean?" Du Fuwei was confused.
Fugong You said: "If we join forces with Li Zitong to rescue Luoyang, the Tang army will definitely deal with us. As long as we do nothing, wait for Li Zitong to be defeated, and then we will take the opportunity to defeat the Tang army. In this way, we can not only eliminate Li Zitong, but also defeat the Tang army."
.At the same time, we can further conquer Luoyang. By then, Jianghuai and the Central Plains will be connected, and our strength will quickly surpass Li Tang!"
Hearing this, Du Fuwei's heart skipped a beat.
"Brother, go back and talk, go back and talk."
On the other side, Li Zitong is also plotting.
It can be said that Li Zitong and Du Fuwei came to rescue Luoyang, but they were worried that Li Tang would take action against them after Wang Shichong was defeated.
Therefore, there is no trust between them at all.
Luoyang, Tang Army Camp.
The flames were rising, and Xue Suo, Du Ruhui, and Xue Yuanjing were warming themselves by the fire and eating steamed buns.
Du Ruhui shrank his hands and said: "The King of Qin is brave and has laid down the Hulao. In my opinion, although Li Zitong and Du Fuwei have hundreds of thousands of troops, they are not necessarily the opponents of the King of Qin. The two of them have grudges against each other, absolutely
It is difficult to work together as one, and the King of Qin is likely to seize this and defeat them one by one."
"If the King of Qin defeats Li Zitong and Du Fuwei in a row this time, it will be a credit to the gods." Xue Yuanjing sighed with emotion.
Xue Shou said: "As you said, once the King of Qin defeats Li Zitong and Du Fuwei, and then turns around and captures Luoyang, then the King of Qin's military exploits will far exceed that of His Highness. Moreover, I am afraid that the saint will also be unblockable.
"
"Isn't this bad?" Xue Yuanjing asked, "The King of Qin has no title, how will the prince deal with himself then?"
Du Ruhui shook his head and said: "No, although this will intensify the conflict between the King of Qin and the Crown Prince, the situation is not very good for us. His Highness has only one Yang Gongren to support him in the court, but the King of Qin is different. Although the Dou family has been suppressed, in the court
The strength is greatly reduced, but there are still many ministers in the line of King Qin."
Xue Shou pursed his lips and said, "We have always forgotten a question."
"What's the problem?" Xue Yuanjing asked.
"How is His Highness going to reach the top?" Xue Shou said: "We all know now that the Crown Prince and the King of Qin can't coexist with each other, but we ourselves don't understand how to get His Highness to the top. Should we take the formal path and make the Crown Prince first, or not?
Formal path. If King Qin wins this time, it will be difficult for the prince to resist him after returning to the court.
If, I say if, the saint changes his mind and makes King Qin the crown prince, then how can we help His Highness? Once King Qin becomes crown prince, he will have the support of both the courtiers and the military, making him much more difficult to deal with than the crown prince.
We have been asking His Highness to keep a low profile and take advantage of the fight between the Crown Prince and the King of Qin to benefit from it, but we have always forgotten the most essential issue, how do we eliminate the Crown Prince, the King of Qin, and even the King of Qi one by one, and let His Highness take the throne.
To put it bluntly, His Highness is a concubine. Unless something unexpected happens to the Crown Prince, King Qin, and King Qi, His Highness can securely be crowned Crown Prince. Otherwise, His Highness can only seize the throne by force."
After the words fell, the three people looked solemn.
Du Ruhui said: "More than that, the Shandong aristocratic family and the Guanlong aristocratic family support the prince and the King of Qin. Even if His Highness performs outstandingly, they will not change their mind. Once the situation is critical, as you said, I am afraid that His Highness will be in trouble again."
There is a chance to reach the top.”
"From this point of view, the biggest obstacle is the King of Qin." Xue Yuanjing concluded.
Du Ruhui nodded and said: "Actually, I'm not too worried that the saint will change the title of King Qin to the crown prince, because in that case, the court situation will be unbalanced. King Qin has the support of the Long family and has an army in his hands. We are worried, and the saint is equally worried.
What I fear most now is that the King of Qin will not take the ordinary path. Once he cannot hold back and takes the lead, something unexpected will happen to the Crown Prince and the King of Qi. When the time comes that he ascends to the throne with the support of his troops and the Guanlong family, our Highness will be afraid of death.
It’s useless.”
Hearing this, Xue Shou took in a breath of cold air.
"Do you mean to deal with King Qin first?"
"Isn't that inappropriate?" Xue Yuanjing frowned and said, "If we deal with the King of Qin, who can stop the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince is personally appointed by a saint. Once something happens to the King of Qin, who can shake the Crown Prince's foundation?"
Du Ruhui said: "Someone will deal with the prince."
"who?"
"King Qi."
"King Qi?" Xue Shou and Xue Yuanjing spoke at the same time.
Du Ruhui nodded and said with a deep expression: "If something happens to King Qin, do you think King Qi will be interested in fighting for the throne?"
After hearing this, the two of them were silent for a while.
Xue Shou said: "Judging from King Qi's character, I'm afraid he has such ambitions."
"No, why do you think that King Qi can take the place of King Qin to deal with the prince?" Xue Yuanjing said in confusion: "You know best what kind of thing King Qi is. If the prince didn't have the truth for him, he would have no place in the court.
, how can he compete with the prince?"
Xue Shou looked at him and said: "It is precisely because he cannot fight with the prince that we have to help him."
"What do you mean?" Xue Yuanjing didn't understand.
Du Ruhui breathed out softly and said: "Our previous method was to let the prince and the King of Qin fight so that both sides would lose, but that can't be done now. If the King of Qin defeats Wang Shichong, Li Zitong, and Du Fuwei this time, the King of Qin will be a saint, and everyone will be defeated."
The first person in the Tang Dynasty, the prince, will never be able to compare with the King of Qin.
Unless the King of Qin disbands his armor and returns to his fields, the Prince will hardly be his opponent. The King of Qin has always coveted the throne and is regarded as an enemy by the Prince. How could he cut off his own limbs and leave his life to the Prince's decision? So I think that the King of Qin will definitely ask the Prince for his decision.
The crown prince's position launched an attack. Regardless of whether King Qin ascends the throne, the prince, King Qi, including His Highness, will no longer be the opponent of King Qin.
If things go on like this, after a hundred years of sainthood, no one will be the opponent of King Qin anymore."
After listening, Xue Yuanjing was stunned for a while, swallowed, and said: "So, we have to find a way to lose this war?"