Surviving means surrendering, and if you want to die, you will die. Since ancient times, the fate of prisoners cannot escape these two choices.
"If I don't surrender, you will kill us, right." Gao Yaxian said.
Li Zhiyun was actually too lazy to answer his question, but thinking of Su Lie, Li Zhiyun was still patient.
"General Gao, I don't understand why you are loyal to Dou Jiande. Is it just because Dou Jiande was born in Hebei and I was born in Guanlong? You should know that our dynasty has unified the world and is unstoppable. What Dou Jiande did was disobedient.
Tiandao. In fact, I admired Dou Jiande's character before. The people of Hebei were far better off under his rule than when thieves and bandits were prevalent.
However, he should never unite with the Turks. You and I are both Han people, and the fight between us and you in the Tang Dynasty is an internal matter between brothers. How can we lure the ambitious Turks into the Central Plains?
As a general under Dou Jiande, you should know better than anyone what consequences will be caused in Hebei every time the Turks move south.
Go out and see how many brothers and sisters are wailing under the iron hooves of the Turks.
They are our brothers and sisters!
Why should we rise up against the tyranny of the former Sui Dynasty?
You don’t want to restore peace to the people of the world, but what did you do? Not only did you fail to protect the people of Hebei, but you also made them suffer from the ravages of the Turks. Are you worthy of the people of Hebei who support you?"
Gao Yaxian pursed her lips and defended: "We have always been defending Hebei. It was you, the Tang Dynasty, who bullied us too much and raised troops to attack several times."
Li Zhiyun said with a smile: "Then you were forced to unite with the Turks by us? Are you also forced by us to invade the south this time?"
Gao Yaxian had nothing to say, so he simply said in the end: "The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. You don't have to say anything. If you want to kill or behead me, it's up to you."
"You are a man. I don't want to kill a talent like you. The world is in ruins and needs people like the general to govern it. I hope the general can understand justice."
"You want me to surrender."
"good."
Gao Yaxian thought for a long time and finally said: "If you can agree to one condition, I will be loyal to you."
"explain."
"King Xia is my old master. Now he is in Turks. I hope you can rescue him."
If it weren't for Su Lie, Li Zhiyun wouldn't bother paying attention to Gao Yaxian.
Li Zhiyun said in a deep voice: "I can try, but Dou Jiande is currently in the hands of the Turks, and he is not sure whether he is alive or dead. I cannot guarantee you that I will be able to rescue Dou Jiande and live."
"I see."
"Very good, General Gao will wait and see."
After saying that, Li Zhiyun didn't bother to talk nonsense with Gao Yaxian anymore, he got up and left.
In fact, Gao Yaxian knew that he had no choice, but he still wanted to do his best for Dou Jiande in the end.
Returning to the main tent, Li Zhiyun informed Du Ruhui and Xue Shou of Gao Yaxian's request.
Xue Shou said disdainfully: "Gao Yaxian is an incompetent person. What qualifications do he have to make demands of His Highness?"
Du Ruhui guessed: "Your Highness, you probably value that Su Lie instead of being elegant and virtuous."
"That's right." Li Zhiyun didn't hide anything and said directly: "Su Lie is a handsome man who will be of great use in the future. I want to conquer him. However, this man has some integrity. If I want to accept him, I'm afraid I have to start with Gao Yaxian.
"
Du Ruhui touched his chin and said: "Actually, if you exchange Yugushe for Dou Jiande, you are not afraid that Shi Bobi will not agree. What I am worried about is that if His Highness does this, it will be difficult for the court to explain."
The court is indeed a problem.
Xue Shou said: "Actually, if we can capture Dou Jiande, it will be worth the effort. As long as His Highness rescues Dou Jiande, Gao Yaxian will send Dou Jiande to Chang'an in the future. His life and death will have nothing to do with His Highness."
.
If the saint wants to kill Dou Jiande, and Gao Yaxian dares to force His Highness to rescue him, then this person cannot be trusted."
Li Zhiyun nodded, "You are right."
He actually understood that Su Lie would eventually be loyal to the imperial court. But right now, he needed the help of talents, especially talents like Su Lie. Therefore, he was unwilling to let Su Lie go to avoid any accidents.
After all, history has now changed beyond recognition.
Of course, Li Zhiyun knew that Gao Yaxian actually had other functions, such as fishing for Liu Heitai, a big black fish.
However, he doesn't have the energy to pay attention to this now, so he can only plan slowly in the future.
After talking about Gao Yaxian, Li Zhiyun asked: "Have you contacted Luo Yi?"
Du Ruhui said: "We contacted him, but Luo Yi said that he suffered heavy losses in troops and horses, and I'm afraid he won't be able to cooperate with His Highness in attacking the Turks."
Hearing this, Li Zhiyun immediately sneered and said: "It seems that Luo Yi still doesn't want to part with his troops."
Xue Shou said: "Without Luo Yi's help, we are not afraid of the Turks. We can tell the court about Luo Yi's affairs. Only in this way can His Highness appear to be in danger."
"Hahaha." Li Zhiyun laughed, "Okay, whatever should be used should be used to avoid waste."
"yes."
Time entered March of the fifth year of Taketoku, and the confrontation in Hebei continued. The Tang army and the Turks mainly engaged in confrontation, supplemented by local wars.
Small-scale battles involve winners and losers and cannot affect the overall situation.
In Bingzhou, Li Shimin had led the Tang army to fight several bloody battles with Jieli, and using Loufanguan as a stronghold, he defeated Jieli twice, beheaded Yuan Junzhang, and captured Shuozhou Shanyang.
Despite this, Li Shimin did not dare to be careless.
Because he knew very well that Jieli was very powerful.
Tang army camp.
Li Shimin received good news from Hebei. The King of Chu defeated Dou Jiande and was gradually regaining the states and counties in Hebei. Due to the time difference and Li Zhiyun's concealment, no one else knows about Tuli Khan's southward journey to Hebei.
"Okay!" Li Shimin said with a smile: "As expected of the King of Chu, and worthy of the fifth brother!"
Changsun Wuji said: "If the King of Chu can deal with Dou Jiande as soon as possible, he might be able to lead his army to Bingzhou to help in the war."
Li Shimin said: "When the time comes, how you defeated Liu Wuzhou will be how you defeat Jie Li now."
Fang Xuanling put down the battle report and said thoughtfully: "His Royal Highness the King of Chu has so many talents under his command. They have Qin Qiong, Wei Chigong, and Du Ruhui and Xue Shou in literature. It is really eye-opening."
Hearing this, Li Shimin's thoughts changed, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
Changsun Wuji squinted his eyes and said slowly: "It seems, it is indeed the case."
The people present were all cunning foxes. There was so much information hidden in one or two sentences that they could understand it as soon as they heard it.
Yu Zhining said: "Now is not the time to talk about this. After we defeat Jie Li, it is not too late to turn around and think about the King of Chu. Otherwise, if Jie Li will not retreat, what is the point of us thinking about the King of Chu."
"That's right." Li Shimin nodded.
He temporarily put aside his suspicion of Li Zhiyun and was about to discuss sending troops with others. Unexpectedly, at this time, his own soldiers came to report and the King of Qi asked to see him.
"Let him wait for me in the side tent..." After thinking for a while, Li Shimin said: "Forget it, I'll go see him right away."
Since the expedition, the fourth child has changed a lot. He is not as greedy for merit as before, and will not cause trouble for him. Basically, he has become much more obedient.
Li Shimin hoped to keep it going until he returned to Chang'an. He was already tired of dealing with Jie Li now, and he really was not in the mood to continue dealing with Li Yuanji.
After Li Shimin left, Changsun Wuji said: "His Royal Highness always said that the King of Chu has no ambition, but now it seems that this may not be the case. If he really has no ambition, why not just become a free king."
"Don't worry, auxiliary machine." Fang Xuanling said: "Even if the King of Chu has selfish motives, he can't resist the general trend. After solving Jie Li and returning to Chang'an, it's time for the King of Chu to give an explanation to His Highness."
Changsun Wuji nodded, very much in agreement.
After defeating Jie Li, King Qin's prestige will far exceed that of the prince. By that time, it will be time to change what should be changed.