Lao Li had a tight control over military power. The people in charge of the military in the Tang Dynasty were either Li Yuan's sons Li Shimin, Li Yuanji, or Li Zhiyun. Or they were the clan's sons, Li Xiaoji, Li Shentong, Li Shenfu, Li Xiaogong and others.
From the bottom of his heart, Lao Li never thought of holding Li Yuanji accountable. Even if he lost the battle, Li Yuan would not hold him accountable. Because Li Yuanji was not only his son, but also His Highness the King of Qi of the Tang Dynasty.
The Prince of Soldiers and Horses.
If Li Yuanji is held accountable this time and Li Yuanji is allowed to take charge of the army next time, he will be criticized.
This was not the result he wanted. Military power could only be controlled by the royal family.
The bloody lessons of the former Sui Dynasty taught him that outsiders should not be allowed to control the army, especially members of aristocratic families.
"You are indeed guilty, but Yin Kaishan and Liu Wenjing did not know the situation and encouraged you to send troops without authorization. They are the culprits."
As soon as he said this, Li Shimin immediately understood that his father was trying to find a scapegoat for his fourth brother. He wanted to defend himself, but when he saw his father's fierce eyes, he couldn't say the words.
Li Jiancheng didn't look very good either.
As for Li Yuanji, he was secretly overjoyed that he had succeeded in evading responsibility.
Soon, Lao Li asked Wen Daya, the minister of Huangmen, to convey the imperial decree and demote Yin Kaishan and Liu Wenjing to civilian positions.
Of course, Li Yuanji did not let him go. Instead, he was stripped of his post as general of Zhenbei and general manager of Bingzhou, and was fined half a year's salary.
Although they all reduced their positions, everyone with a discerning eye understood that Li Yuanji was the second culprit in the imperial edict, and Yin Kaishan and Liu Wenjing had been blamed.
After the imperial edict was issued, Lao Li began to ask Xue Ju what to do.
There were only four people, father and son, in the Li Zheng Hall, so there was no need to cover up what they said. Li Jiancheng thought about it, gritted his teeth and asked for orders: "Father, I am willing to lead the army to deal with Xue Ju."
Li Yuan looked at Li Jiancheng for a while, shook his head, and warned: "You are the prince, the heir apparent of the Tang Dynasty, and you are the foundation of the country. How can you leave the center without permission?"
Li Jiancheng was helpless. This was his limitation. Although he was the prince, he could not really lead the troops in battle.
If you cannot lead troops, you will not be able to control military power, let alone achieve military exploits.
Lao Li refused to take charge of Li Jiancheng, and his attitude was already very clear.
Li Yuanji had just been defeated and it was impossible to continue to be the coach. He knew this, so this time he lowered his head and said nothing, and did not show off his presence.
The only one left is Li Shimin.
At this time, Li Yuan's eyes also fell on Li Shimin.
"Erlang."
"Father." Li Shimin raised his head.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Back to my father, my son and I are fine."
Li Yuan nodded and said: "You have to deal with the disaster left by Yuan Ji."
This sentence made Li Yuanji very unhappy. The trouble he left behind was clearly caused by Yin Kaishan who said he could fight it in the first place.
Li Shimin nodded and said, "My son, I understand."
Li Yuan continued: "You decide who you want and how you want to fight. I can agree to it. In addition, let Yuanji follow you to redeem yourself and make meritorious service."
Hearing this, Li Shimin frowned slightly. He really didn't want to lead Li Yuanji to score points.
"Father, I think that Yuan Ji should take a good rest after escaping from death. Zhiyun has always been prudent, so we can make him my deputy general to defeat Xue Ju together."
This time he was really afraid, afraid that Li Yuanji would come and cause trouble again. Therefore, he asked Li Zhiyun to follow him just to prevent his father from forcibly giving Li Yuanji to him.
Want to double queue with Zhiyun? Li Jiancheng raised his eyebrows and said, "Second brother, Zhiyun is still clearing Shannan Road. It would be inappropriate to call him back at this time."
Li Shimin leaned forward and said, "Big Brother, I don't know. The states in Shannan Province have been restored. Xiaogong can be responsible for the aftermath."
"I don't agree." Li Jiancheng said: "Zhiyun has conquered Shannan Road and has done a lot of hard work. If he is brought back at this time, wouldn't it be bullying Zhiyun?"
Lao Li also felt that this was a bit unkind. He had promised his son that he would surprise him when he returned from Shannan Road. Besides, bringing Zhiyun back at this time was not taking credit. Zhiyun must have felt uncomfortable.
Li Shimin insisted: "Father, Zhiyun has always understood the general situation and will not take such a trivial matter to heart. Furthermore, father can definitely reward Zhiyun first and then let him follow his son to attack Xue Ju."
This was a solution, and Lao Li thought about it and thought there was nothing wrong with it. Anyway, Shannan Road has been settled, so it should be no problem to let Li Xiaogong handle the follow-up matters.
Shimin + Zhiyun, Xue Ju will die even if he has horns on his head.
"Okay, I agree."
"Thank you, Father."
"However, Yuanji should follow him and make meritorious service. Together, you three brothers will definitely be able to capture Xue Ju." Li Yuan added.
Li Shimin suddenly felt that he had lost his temper. Mr. Mader said a lot and returned to the original point, right?
Li Jiancheng continued: "Father, Liu Wenjing, and Yin Kaishan are all Jinyang Yuan Cong, let them go together."
This time it wasn't the dog that was beaten. Li Shimin felt that he was being beaten by the dog.
What's the use of pretending to be sick?
Li Yuan thought for a while and nodded in agreement.
Prince Qin's Mansion.
Li Shimin came back from the palace. Without saying a word, he leaned on the sofa and looked up at the roof.
The plump and beautiful Princess Qin looked worried and quickly dragged her brother Changsun Wuji over. Then Changsun Wuji dragged Fang Qiao and Yu Zhining over.
"Xuanling, what do you think is the use of my pretending to be sick?"
Li Shimin explained the matter of establishing the Zhengdian Palace and added one final sentence.
Fang Qiao smiled, leaned forward and said, "Your Highness, of course it is useful."
"explain."
"At the very least, the sage now understands that King Qi is unreliable, but King Qin is the most reliable."
Li Shimin covered his eyes for a moment and sighed: "The prince seems to be a little afraid of me."
After hearing this, there was a sudden silence in the room. Changsun Wuji, Fang Qiao and Yu Zhining fell silent.
Under the corridor outside the house, the plump Princess Qin caressed her bulging belly, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
After a while, Fang Qiao whispered: "Your Highness can be seen by all. It's not surprising that the prince has other ideas."
Li Shimin raised his eyes and looked at Fang Qiao with squinted eyes.
"Then tell me, what should I do to avoid conflict with the prince?"
Fang Qiao was silent for a moment and then asked: "Does Your Highness want to be the king of freedom?"
Before Li Shimin could speak, Yu Zhining said: "The world is uncertain. With your highness' talents, can you become the Xiaoyao King?"
After saying that, the four of them fell silent at the same time.
With the wisdom of the four of them, what they said was to the point, and the deeper meaning was already clear in their hearts.
The only person in the Tang Dynasty clan who could fight was King Li Shimin of Qin who had made great military exploits. Although King Li Zhiyun of Chu was beginning to show off his talents, there was still a gap between him and King Qin. In this case, no matter how much Li Shimin gave in, Li Yuan would let him
Take charge of the army and conquer all directions.
And this just made the prince a little uncomfortable.
Having said that, can Li Shimin himself give up everything he has now?
"Okay, let's not talk anymore." Li Shimin said: "Get ready. When the King of Chu comes back from Shannan Road, we will go on an expedition."
Fang Qiao nodded, and Yu Zhining stood up and left.
Changsun Wuji stepped out of the door, then stepped back.
"What's wrong Wuji?" Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji who came back in confusion.
"Your Highness, this time King Chu is with us, so we can get close to him."
Li Shimin's eyes instantly turned stern, "Do you know what you are talking about!"
"I know." Changsun Wuji returned his serious look, "But that's why I want to tell His Highness."