Four hundred and ninety second chapter brother and brother
Huashan has a steep terrain. It is located next to Tongguan, a dangerous pass in the world. It guards the gateway from the northwest to the Central Plains. It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. To the east of Huashan is Hongnong County and to the south is Shangluo County. Although these two places are now
It still belongs to Luoyang's sphere of influence. However, there are not many soldiers and horses in the county. It has become a fragrant bun in the eyes of the four parties.
On the official road at the foot of Huashan Mountain, an army of tens of thousands of soldiers and horses is marching towards the east. This army is all wearing silver armor. The soldiers have white linen hanging on their heads and arms. At first glance, it looks like
It looks more like a funeral procession. But the military flag held by the army has a big word "Li" written on it, which proves the identity of this army. It is the soldiers and horses of the Li family who have occupied Chang'an. Just like Wanhe before.
According to the information obtained, Li Jiancheng was ordered by Li Yuan to lead an army of 30,000 people out of the customs. But on the surface, Li Jiancheng sent troops under the banner of attacking Yu Wenhuaji. The entire army was in silence. It was also to pay tribute to Yang Guang. But the actual purpose was
.But it only suffices to capture Hongnong and Shangluo counties.
At the front of the army, Li Jiancheng, the eldest son of the Li family, dressed in silver armor and wearing filial piety, is riding a tall horse and leading the troops to march slowly. As the eldest son of Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng will definitely become Li Yuan's heir in the future. This is also the case for sending troops.
In order to accumulate merit for Li Jiancheng and pave the way for inheriting Li Yuan's power in the future, Li Jiancheng should have been very happy about this. However, Li Jiancheng glanced at the person behind him, but he couldn't be happy at all.
"Brother." The man Li Jiancheng was very worried about rushed forward. He was also wearing silver armor. Although this man was not as tall as Li Jiancheng, he looked more heroic. This man was Li Jiancheng's younger brother.
Li Shimin, the second son of Li Yuan, rode up to Li Jiancheng and said, "This place is not far from Hongnong. Should we send scouts to investigate."
"Is there anything to investigate?" Regarding Li Shimin's suggestion, Li Jiancheng waved his hand impatiently and said, "The previous information was not very clear. Hongnong only has less than 5,000 troops left. Originally,
Pang Yu, who is stationed in Hongnong, has also gone to Luoyang. Today, Hongnong has no troops at all. Once our 30,000 troops arrive, we will definitely be able to capture Hongnong."
"Brother, it's better to be careful." Li Shimin frowned. He still seemed uneasy. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Let's do this. Brother, please stop the army first. I will send a few scouts to Hongnong to investigate.
2. This place is not far from Luoyang. My father also asked us to be careful."
After Li Shimin finished speaking, he went straight back to settle down. Seeing Li Shimin talking to himself like this, Li Jiancheng's face suddenly became so gloomy that it could drip. During this time, Li Jiancheng has become more and more afraid of Li Shimin.
For no other reason than because his younger brother is so capable. In the previous battle of Huoyi, he killed the famous Sui general Song Laosheng. In the battle of Chang'an, he defeated the Sui army again. In the end, he forced the general Qu to surrender.
Sutong. Conspired to capture Xidu Tiejia, one of the four most powerful soldiers of the Sui Dynasty.
Li Shimin accomplished so many extraordinary achievements. In addition, Li Yuan launched an army before, and Li Shimin also played a big role in it. Many people in the Li family began to discuss whether Li Shimin should be allowed to replace Li Jiancheng's successor. Or even
There are also rumors that Li Yuan has promised to make Li Shimin his heir. Li Jiancheng, who knew all this, couldn't hold back. Although the brotherly love is deep, it is seen that the Li family will soon replace the Sui Dynasty and ascend the throne as emperor. This is the supreme power.
How could Li Jiancheng give up power? That's why Li Jiancheng invited himself to go on an expedition.
I thought that this expedition would enable me to earn enough military exploits and fame. However, I did not expect that Li Shimin did not know what means he used to rely on this expedition. Along the way, Li Shimin did not lack his own strength. Strategically speaking, he even deliberately opposed himself several times. Li Jiancheng could see it. Li Shimin was clearly trying to grab credit. If the previous rumors were just rumors, then now Li Jiancheng completely believed that Li Shimin wanted to took his place.
Behind Li Jiancheng, a man wearing a civilian official robe saw Li Jiancheng's unkind expression and took a step forward. He said to Li Jiancheng, "Your Majesty, what's the problem?"
This man's name is Wei Ting. He is the son of Wei Chong, the former Minister of Civil Affairs of the Sui Dynasty. And his sister is the concubine of King Yang Jian of Qi. Wei Ting has had a good relationship with Li Jiancheng since childhood. Yang Jian was killed before. Qi Princess Wei was also implicated and questioned. Wei Ting ran to Taiyuan early and hid with Li Jiancheng. Later, the Li family started trouble. Wei Ting also made suggestions for Li Jiancheng and always gained Li Jiancheng's trust.
After hearing Wei Ting's question, Li Jiancheng's face changed from gloomy to bitter. He shook his head and smiled bitterly. But he told Wei Ting what was on his mind. Finally, he said: "Brother Wei, could it be that this brother Isn't the love for me bigger than the temptation of power? For the sake of the position of heir, he actually wants to force me, the eldest brother, to death."
At this time, the army had stopped. There were no other people around Li Jiancheng and Wei Ting, so no one noticed the changes on Li Jiancheng's side. Hearing Li Jiancheng complain like this, Wei Ting couldn't help but shake his head. To be fair, Li Jiancheng is indeed capable and has means. If there is no better Li Shimin for comparison, Li Jiancheng is the most suitable successor to the Li family in every aspect. It is unclear who is right and who is wrong. But if nothing else, Wei Ting should support Li Jiancheng just because of his kindness in taking him in a few years ago.
Wei Ting immediately said to Li Jiancheng: "Your Majesty, don't be anxious. Although Zhao Guogong has made many achievements, it is also because he has been fighting abroad all year round. The Crown Prince is the eldest son. It is a taboo for a king to abolish the elder and establish the younger. The King of Tang is wise. How could he not know that as long as the Crown Prince persists and asks the King of Tang for battle many times and makes great achievements, then the Crown Prince of Tang will naturally not hesitate anymore about who to choose between the Crown Prince and Duke Zhao."
When Wei Ting said this, Li Jiancheng also regained some confidence and nodded vigorously. But soon he showed hesitation again on his face and said: "But now the second brother has to have a hand in everything. Keep this up. How can I achieve great success?"
Wei Ting was also asked. When it comes to military prestige, Li Shimin is indeed far superior to Li Jiancheng. If nothing else, among the 30,000 troops now, there are many generals who are Li Shimin's old troops. If Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin had differences. Then these generals must have listened to Li Shimin. Thinking of this, Wei Ting was also very distressed. He muttered: "This matter is indeed difficult to handle. The only person in the army who supports the prince now is probably General Feng Li is in charge. The prince might as well try to let General Feng Li take charge of the military first. At least this can help the prince gain more support in the army."
Wei Ting said this. Li Jiancheng also thought of the burly man who had always supported him. He nodded repeatedly and said: "This is a good idea. After all, I am the commander of this army. It is not difficult to promote someone. Okay. Let Feng Li be appointed as the commander of the army." Pioneer, allocate him five thousand troops and horses." Li Jiancheng was indeed smart. Using the name of vanguard, he allocated five thousand troops and horses to Feng Li. In this way, it was equivalent to giving Feng Li a large part of his military power. Feng Li was brave and good at fighting. There were very few people in the army who could defeat him. Even if he were to be the vanguard, Li Shimin would not be able to cause trouble.
Then Wei Ting said again: "What Duke Zhao just said is not unreasonable. Wan He is a man of many tricks. Now he has controlled the power of Luoyang and has more than 100,000 troops. Our army marches into Hongnong. It is impossible for him not to know. He will definitely make some arrangements. Therefore, it is a wise move to send scouts to investigate in advance. The prince might as well let General Feng Li lead the vanguard to explore the road first. This discovery of the information can be regarded as the credit of General Feng Li. When the time comes, the prince will write a report of his merits and report it to the king of Tang Dynasty. I don’t think there is anything that Duke Zhao can do about it." Wei Ting is Yang Jian’s brother-in-law. Although Wei Ting was not involved in the things Yang Jian did in the past, how did Yang Jian become so deceived? He was defeated in a fight. But Wei Ting knew it very well. So Wei Ting was very worried about Wan He.
Li Jiancheng also remembered the suggestions given by Wei Ting one by one and nodded repeatedly. In fact, he also knew that he should march carefully. It was just that he was confused by Li Shimin's attitude before, so he started to accept the suggestions given by Li Shimin. Disgusted. Now with the suggestions that Wei Ting came up with, Li Jiancheng's thinking gradually became clearer. At least he was not as impulsive and confused as before. After listening to Wei Ting's words, Li Jiancheng also let out a long sigh of relief. Finally, a smile appeared on his face and he said, "I have Brother Wei to help me, so I have nothing to fear."
After hearing Li Jiancheng's words, Wei Ting quickly reminded: "The prince must not be careless. Although I have made suggestions for the prince, the Duke of Zhao is not without a think tank around him. In my opinion, the key to the dispute between the prince and the Duke of Zhao is still in the Tang Dynasty. If the Crown Prince can be recognized by the King of Tang, then no matter how hard Duke Zhao fights, the Crown Prince's status will definitely be rock solid."
"What Brother Wei said is absolutely true." Wei Ting's words also made Li Jiancheng suddenly enlightened. He nodded repeatedly and said: "I understand. I understand. The person my father trusts the most is undoubtedly Pei Ji, and Pei Ji has a good relationship with me. .When I go back this time, I will definitely have more contact with Pei Ji and try to win Pei Ji to my side. With him by my father’s side, my father will never waver.”
Li Jiancheng was able to draw inferences from one instance and follow his advice very quickly. This made Wei Ting very happy. He nodded repeatedly, but did not forget to remind Li Jiancheng: "Your Majesty, this is all for later. Let's deal with the matter in front of us quickly. Don't Let Duke Zhao take the lead."