Chapter five hundred and twentieth: Attack of the Western Qin Dynasty
In the past, Li Jiancheng might not have thought so much. But since he saw Li Shimin's influence in the military last time in Huayin, Li Jiancheng also felt that he could no longer let it go. So after returning from Huayin, Li Jiancheng deliberately made good friends with the powerful generals in the army in order to expand his own strength and prevent the heir's position from being taken away by his second brother Li Shimin.
Both Wang Changxie and Li Xiaogong were powerful figures in the Tang army. Especially Li Xiaogong. As a descendant of the Li family and a direct disciple of Li Shentong, his power in the army was no less than that of his eldest son. If he could get the support of Li Xiaogong, Then Li Jiancheng's power in the army will be more than doubled, not to mention relying on Li Xiaogong to connect with Li Shentong. Thinking of this, Li Jiancheng also made up his mind. Then he raised his head. . Said to Li Yuan: "Father, I think what General Wang and cousin Xiaogong said is reasonable. Luoyang is really too important. If Luoyang cannot be taken, then for our Li family, Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande will become a huge threat. threats."
Li Jiancheng knew that Li Yuan hated Wanhe, but he couldn't use the hatred between the Li family and Wanhe as a reason. That would only make Li Yuan feel that he was neglecting his official duties for personal reasons. So Li Jiancheng also used this principle to talk and listen. Hearing Li Jiancheng's words, Li Yuan couldn't help but nodded. He seemed to agree with Li Jiancheng's answer. Seeing Li Yuan's reaction, Li Jiancheng was also secretly happy. Then he said to Li Yuan: "As for Xue Ju and Li Gui... …”
"Brother." In the middle of Li Jiancheng's words, a shout suddenly sounded outside the meeting hall. Immediately afterwards, a figure pushed open the door and rushed in. He rushed towards Li Yuan.
When this figure first appeared, several generals were startled and wanted to step forward to stop him. But after seeing the man's appearance clearly, they immediately sat back. Li Yuan and some core members of Li Tang were even more indifferent. Surprised. There is only one person in Chang'an City who dares to act like this in the Tang Palace. That is Li Yuan's cousin Li Shentong, the number one master of the Li family.
The figure stopped five steps away from Li Yuan. Sure enough, it was Li Shentong. After Li Shentong stood still, he gasped and clasped his fists towards Li Yuan and shouted: "Brother, something bad is going to happen. Xue Ju Troops are dispatched."
"What." Hearing Li Shentong's words, Li Yuan couldn't sit still anymore. He jumped up from his seat. He stared at Li Shentong with wide eyes and shouted loudly: "How is this possible? How could Xue Ju do this? Send troops suddenly."
Xue Ju was originally from Hedong. He moved to Jincheng with his father when he was young. His family fortune is millions. He is considered a famous rich man even in the entire northwest. He became a famous teacher and acquired superb martial arts. After Xue Ju came of age, he recruited many heroes. After ruling Bianshuo, in the last years of his great career, Xue Ju took advantage of the troubled times to raise his troops and unified the northwest early. He also established himself as emperor and called himself the emperor. The overlord of the Western Qin Dynasty, Xue Ju, was simply invincible in Bianshuo. His Western Qin army, in the past few years, had made the Sui troops who went to conquer have suffered a lot. After Li Yuan had just captured Chang'an, .I originally intended to attack Xue Ju, but I didn’t expect that I would end up being defeated.
Fortunately, Xue Ju didn't seem to be interested in the Central Plains. He just wanted to stay in Bianshuo and be his local emperor. So he never had any intention of sending troops. But now he would suddenly send troops. This naturally surprised Li Yuan. Thinking of the last time When he was conquering the northwest, he was defeated by the fierce Western Qin army. Li Yuan felt a shudder. He immediately shouted: "What should we do? Why did Xue Ju send troops so well?"
Li Yuan's question is also a question in the minds of others. Xue Ju has clearly expressed his attitude. He only needs to guard the one-third of an acre of Bianshuo. Why did he want to send troops to Yongzhou? And Li Shentong also calmed down at this moment. He gasped and immediately replied: "Brother, didn't eldest brother send people to form an alliance with Li Gui last year? Xue Ju attacked Li Gui before, but was defeated by Li Gui. This Xue Ju thinks that our Li family and Li Gui are Alliance. So while attacking Li Gui, they also sent troops to attack us just for revenge."
Hearing Li Shentong's words, Li Yuan's face immediately darkened. The alliance with Li Gui was just an expedient strategy for Li Yuan. After all, the Li family owned the land in Guanzhong, but the surrounding powers were all looking at it. It was impossible for Li Yuan to do so. Becoming enemies with all of them. After maintaining a neutral attitude with Liu Wuzhou, Xue Ju and Wan He, it became an imperative decision to ally with Li Gui. But Li Yuan never expected that Xue Ju would be affected by this. Taking his anger out on Li Tang was truly an unreasonable disaster.
But Li Yuan was not an ordinary person after all. After a brief moment of surprise, Li Yuan quickly regained his composure and asked in a deep voice: "Supernatural power, please explain the specific circumstances of Xue Ju's troops."
"Yes." Li Shentong shouted immediately. At this time, Li Jiancheng also took the initiative to move his chair behind Li Shentong and asked Li Shentong to sit down. After Li Shentong sat down, he said: "Before, I served as the eldest brother I was ordered to go to Fufeng for inspection. However, before I arrived at Fufeng, I encountered a defeated army from Tianshui. After careful investigation, I found out that Xue Ju personally led an army of 100,000 people. He had captured Tianshui and was attacking Fufeng. I learned this situation. After that, I rushed back immediately. Counting now, I am afraid that Fufeng has also been captured by Xue Ju."
"Hiss..." Everyone couldn't help but gasped after hearing Li Shentong briefly explain the situation. A hundred thousand troops, in terms of strength, were not as many as Li Tang's soldiers and horses. But the problem was that the Western Qin Army fought. They were fierce, but far surpassed Li Tang. The Tang army under Li Yuan was afraid that only the Xidu Iron Armor with less than 50,000 soldiers could defeat the Western Qin army. What was even more frightening was that the Western Qin overlord Xue Ju actually Going out in person, Xue Ju cooperated with the Western Qin Army. He was almost invincible. Such a lineup was also unprecedentedly difficult for Li Yuan.
"Your Majesty." Pei Ji, who had been silent before, also stood up and said to Li Yuan with a serious face: "If Fufeng is breached, then Chang'an will be in danger. Your Majesty should summon all the troops to resist Xue Ju's army."
"Yeah." Although Pei Ji's words were considered nonsense, Li Yuan still nodded vigorously. He lowered his head and thought for a moment. Then he shouted: "When it is completed, send my military order immediately. Order Shimin and Yuanji to lead all the troops back to Chang'an. Pei Sir, you should prepare a letter immediately and send it to Liangzhou, requesting Li Gui to send troops to attack Xue Ju. You must force Xue Ju to retreat."
"Yes." After Li Yuan's order was issued, Li Jiancheng and Pei Ji both responded at the same time. They accepted Li Yuan's order and retreated. Before that, Li Shiming led 50,000 soldiers and horses to guard the east of the river. And Li Yuan's fourth son Li Yuanji led 50,000 troops to guard Taiyuan. Now that Chang'an is in such crisis, Li Yuan naturally wanted to recall the army in the hands of his two sons to save his life. Then, Li Yuan issued orders one after another. The entire council hall All civil and military officials were mobilized to carry out Li Yuan's orders. The situation now has become very serious. If we can't deal with it carefully, I am afraid that the foundation Li Yuan finally built will be destroyed.
Immediately afterwards, Li Yuan looked at Li Shentong again. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Shentong, there are nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses in Chang'an City now. I entrust them all to you. We must do it before the reinforcements arrive. Block Xue Ju’s attack.”
Now Li Shentong is considered Li Yuan's strongest general in Chang'an. Therefore, Li Yuan can only rely on his cousin. And Li Shentong has such great trust from Li Yuan. He doesn't care about the fatigue of running all the way back. He immediately He just stood up, clasped his fists and shouted: "Brother, please don't worry. Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will never let down my trust."
After saying that, Li Shentong saluted Li Yuan, turned around and walked towards the outside of the meeting hall. In the blink of an eye, the meeting hall was still full before, but now only Li Yuan was left standing there. Li Yuanshen Taking a breath, he clenched his hands into fists and waved hard. As soon as he opened his eyes, a cold light flashed through him. Li Yuan only heard Li Yuan hum: "Wan He, your head will be stored with you for the time being." One day, I will definitely kill you to avenge my son."
Zhencheng is located in the northern part of Dongping County. It can be regarded as a medium-sized town. Since last year, the entire Dongping County has been occupied by the heroic army of Gao Kaidao who went south. In the past few years, Gao Kaidao has been recruiting Ge Qian. While the old army slowly expanded its strength, it has now become the only overlord in Hebei and Shandong that can compete with Dou Jiande.
With the death of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty in Jiangdu, the center of the world's struggle gradually moved from Shandong and Hebei to Henan. Although Gao Kaidao was originally just a general loyal to Ge Qian, he has been in power for many years. It is true that Gao Kaidao has no ambition. Impossible. Because of this, after seeing Dou Jiande suddenly go south, Gao Kaidao also chose to give up competing with Luo Yi and Xue Shixiong for the land of Hebei and Shandong. He then crossed the Yellow River and went south to Henan. Although Gao Kaidao was not as strong as Dou Jiande. But that didn’t stop him from taking a dip in the muddy waters of Henan.
It's just that Gao Kaidao took action a little late. First, he let Yu Wenhuaji's army slip through Xuzhou, but he turned around and ran to Hebei. Then he was a step too late, allowing Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong to form an alliance. Originally, he made an alliance with Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong. Gao Kaidao, who was slightly weaker than Dou Jiande, was no longer a match for Dou Jiande. In the end, he could only lurk in Dongping County, sit still and wait for the opportunity.