Chapter 49: After seeing the second brother, see the elder brother
The layout of Prince Qin's Mansion is quite ordinary, with a few old fir trees planted in the yard, and occasionally one or two chickens running around on the ground. Compared to the East Palace, Prince Qin's Mansion is undoubtedly much more advanced.
The courtyards of the Tang Palace are not the so-called blue brick floors and white porcelain walls. Except for the fixed scale and grade, the other layout is actually no different from that of a farmhouse.
Because the bricks and stones had to be polished manually, the Tang Dynasty was not so wealthy now.
Entering the hall, the two brothers sat opposite each other.
Li Zhiyun first thanked his second sister-in-law for caring about him and helping him prepare for the wedding. Changsun smiled and said that it was right. His words were so appropriate that people didn't feel owed a favor, and they also brought the relationship closer between the two parties.
The second sister-in-law Li, who is beautiful, virtuous and mature, accounts for one-third of the credit for the Zhenguan rule.
Not long after, the second sister-in-law went down to prepare the meal with a smile, leaving the two brothers talking about the conquest of Xue Ju.
Most of the time, Li Zhiyun agreed, and a few times, he tried to persuade Li Shimin.
Agree with Li Shimin's strategy against Xue Ju, and persuade Li Shimin to look away and not take the defeat of Liu Wenjing and Li Yuanji to heart.
"Zhiyun, if you had led the army this time, we would never have suffered such a disastrous defeat."
"Second brother is overly praised. I have always felt that his strategy was not wrong, but there were some accidents. If the second brother had not been ill, Xue Ju would have been defeated this time. Even if Xue Ju occupied Jingzhou at this time, it would be the end of his might.
He is alone outside. If we only hold on, Xue Ju will be unable to do anything. When he is exhausted and attacks him in one fell swoop, Xue Ju will be defeated."
Needless to say, Li Shimin's personal charm was more comfortable chatting with him than with Li Yuanji. However, thinking about what happened next, Li Zhiyun couldn't help but feel a little wary.
It is open to debate to say that Li Shimin passively initiated the Xuanwu Gate Incident. But if you think about it from his perspective, if you were Li Shimin, you might not be willing to be a king of real power. Furthermore, everyone knows what happened to the kings of real power in history.
"Zhiyun, actually on that day, I didn't want Liu Xiangguo and Yuan Ji to follow Xue Ju. Military affairs were complicated and not that simple. I was suffering from malaria at the time, and I told them not to act rashly, but still...
....well."
"Second brother, fourth brother actually just wants to share your worries. Among our brothers, second brother, you are the most tired. As a younger brother, you see it in your eyes and feel pain in your heart. In terms of conquering cities and territories, second brother is definitely the most tired.
The first person in the clan. Therefore, I think the fourth brother actually wants to show the second brother that he can also share his father's worries and lighten the burden on the second brother's shoulders."
"Now the eldest brother is assisting my father as counselor in state affairs, and the second brother is expanding your territory. Naturally, the fourth brother and I want to help you more."
"Zhiyun, you are serious." Li Shimin sighed. He believed that Li Zhiyun was indeed what he said just now, but he did not believe Li Yuanji.
That stinky brother, if you don't cause him any trouble, he will burn high incense.
Li Shimin said: "With this great defeat, my father is a little embarrassed in front of the people in Guanlong. You and I must not embarrass our father again when we go on an expedition."
"Second brother, don't worry. I will definitely obey your orders."
Li Shimin smiled happily, he just wanted Li Zhiyun to have this attitude. If Li Zhiyun was the same as Li Yuanji, he would probably explode.
"By the way, Zhiyun, how about Shannan Road?"
...
Under the attentive hospitality of King Qin and Princess Qin, the two brothers talked happily. Li Shimin also expressed that if he went on an expedition in the future, he hoped that he would take more care of King Qin's palace.
In response, Li Zhiyun patted his chest and said that they are all brothers and there is no distinction between them.
What's yours is mine, and what's mine is still mine. Li Zhiyun added this quietly in his heart.
After meeting Li Shimin, Li Zhiyun went to the East Palace to have a talk the next day at the prince's invitation. The prince's concubine Zheng Guanyin was about to give birth and met Li Zhiyun with a pregnant belly.
That day, while drinking, Li Yuanji complained about Liu Wenjing and Yin Kaishan to lure him to attack Xue Ju.
Li Zhiyun couldn't help but laugh. Can they seduce you, King Qi?
That ability is really amazing.
Li Jiancheng said: "In this expedition, you must cooperate with the King of Qin and do not act on your own initiative."
This statement is mainly aimed at Li Yuanji.
"I sincerely follow the teachings of my royal brother." The two brothers clasped their fists.
Although Li Yuanji was very unconvinced, a defeat was a defeat. At best, he could go against the odds in front of Li Shimin, but he still maintained due respect in front of Li Jiancheng.
After a pause, Li Jiancheng looked at Li Zhiyun, "Zhiyun, did King Qin tell you yesterday about the strategy to deal with Xue Ju?"
Hearing this, Wei Ting frowned slightly and said, "Prince, are you still worried about Xue Ju?"
Li Jiancheng realized that he had made a mistake and was impatient, so he quickly went down Wei Ting's steps, nodded and sighed: "Xue Ju is said to have a hundred thousand troops, so he has to be alone and not nervous."
Li Zhiyun glanced at Wei Ting and Li Jiancheng and said, "Brother, don't worry. The second brother's literary and military skills are far superior to Zhiyun's. Xue Ju will definitely be able to win."
Li Jiancheng felt slightly uncomfortable. The second brother is so much better than me?
"Zhiyun, there are some things you don't know, but as my brother, I want to remind you." Li Yuanji said: "This time we go out with the army, we must be careful about this villain Yin Kaishan."
The fierce glint in his eyes left Li Zhiyun without any doubt that Li Yuanji would definitely kill Yin Kaishan if he had the chance.
"What does Fourth Brother mean by this?"
Li Yuanji said: "Didn't I say before that if Yin Kaishan hadn't miscalculated Xue Ju and encouraged me to send troops, how could we have been defeated? Humph, I even suspect that what Yin Kaishan said was actually instigated by the King of Qin!"
"Fourth brother!" Li Jiancheng scolded sternly.
Li Yuanji lost his temper and said harshly: "You are just too stupid!"
Li Zhiyun whispered: "Fourth brother, don't talk nonsense. We four brothers are one body and we all work for our father's great cause. Second brother will never do this."
"Anyway, Xiaowu, you just believe that he is a good person. When you suffer hardships in the future, you will know how powerful he is." Li Yuanji said, "I know everything, but no one understands my helplessness."
Li Jiancheng warned: "It's okay to say this in the East Palace. If you let me hear it outside, I will never forgive you lightly!"
Without naming names, is this a warning to everyone present?
Li Zhiyun thought to himself, and then comforted him: "Brother, don't be angry. The fourth brother was just temporarily distracted by the defeat in his heart, and that's why he made a mistake. Isn't that right, fourth brother?"
After speaking, Li Zhiyun looked at Li Yuanji.
The latter curled his lips and said unwillingly: "Yes, yes, everything you said is right. I lost my mind and made a mistake."
Li Jiancheng looked back and sighed.
The topic seemed a bit solemn at this point, and none of the three brothers were willing to talk more, let alone Wei Ting and Wang Gui.
Li Jiancheng changed the subject and wanted to lighten the atmosphere, so he asked Li Zhiyun how the wedding preparations were going.
Li Zhiyun said helplessly: "Brother, I originally planned to ask my mother to prepare it, but the affairs in the harem are complicated and my mother really can't get away. Fortunately, the second sister-in-law entered the palace not long ago and promised my mother to help. Otherwise, my brother
I’m really at my wits end.”
After the words fell, Wei Ting's pupils shrank and he subconsciously looked at the prince.
As for Prince Li Jiancheng, his palms had unconsciously clenched into fists.