At the Zhuque Gate in the imperial city, a horse galloped up. Immediately there was a young woman in her twenties, with a high nose, powerful eyes, a long sword on her waist, and a very strong body. She was Li Yuan
The third daughter, Princess Pingyangzhao Li Xiuning.
At this time, Li Xiuning was extremely anxious. She also received news that her husband was trapped in Yuntian Castle and the situation was critical. However, there was no movement from the court's reinforcements. Li Xiuning could no longer bear it and entered the palace to see the saint.
Li Xiuning did not take the chariot and walked quickly towards the palace city. Along the way, she met many officials who bowed slightly and saluted her. However, Li Xiuning did not bother to return the salute at this time. She walked faster and faster, and soon entered the palace city.
, walked straight to the Wude Hall.
In the imperial study, Li Yuanzheng discussed with Tai Tongzi Jiancheng and Qin Wang Shimin about the situation in Huining County. Since the news of Qiu Xinggong's death came, Li Yuan was somewhat shaken about taking back Huining County.
He realized that if defeated, it would cause a serious blow to Guanlong's morale and people's hearts. Huining County was too close to Chang'an, and the failure of the Tang army would make the entire court feel a huge threat.
Li Yuan sat behind the court case, closing his eyes and saying nothing. He was now in a dilemma, hoping to get some solution to the crisis from his two sons.
Li Jiancheng is also in a bit of a dilemma now. He was originally a staunch fan of retaking Huining County. He was absolutely unwilling to lose Huining County, a strategic place. However, Li Shentong gave him eye drops. Li Shentong's appeasement attitude made him think again.
It's anger and helplessness.
"Father, the Sui army now has 20,000 elite cavalry in Huining County. We only have 30,000 troops, most of which are infantry. It is indeed difficult to defeat the Sui army. We cannot blame the emperor entirely, or we march to Yan'an County.
, forcing the Sui army to withdraw with the strategy of surrounding Wei and rescuing Zhao."
Li Shimin had always been silent. He had never been involved in this matter from the beginning, and he did not want to cause trouble. But today, his father specially summoned him for discussion. He suspected that his father was planning to send troops to Huining County, so he responded silently. But
The plan that Tai Tongzi built finally made him unable to bear it anymore.
Li Shimin sneered, "Brother Huang wants to expand the war and expand the dispute over a mine into the Great War between the Sui and Tang Dynasties? He actually claims to besiege Wei and save Zhao. Could it be that the Sui army will not send troops from Hedong to rescue?"
In fact, Li Jiancheng felt it was inappropriate after he said it, but Li Shimin rudely seized on his words and made him passive. Li Jiancheng became a little angry and snorted: "You stayed out of the matter from the beginning. You looked on with cold eyes. You don't want to give anything to your father.
The emperor tries to solve problems, but he only makes sarcastic comments here. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Li Yuan opened his eyes slightly and said with some displeasure: "Okay, you two brothers should stop quarreling."
Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin did not dare to say any more. Li Yuan glanced at Li Shimin again. He smiled slightly and said: "Shimin, tell me your opinion. I believe you also have your own thoughts on this matter."
Li Shimin hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said, "I'm afraid my father doesn't want to hear what I think."
"It's okay, just say it, I want to hear it."
Although Li Shimin did not participate in the decision-making of this matter, it does not mean that he has no ideas. He has been waiting for the opportunity. Now that his father finally gave him a chance to speak, Li Shimin took a deep breath and said: "Father, even if we take back Huining
Yang Yuanqing will also find mines elsewhere. We cannot stop him from vigorously smelting copper and silver. The mines in Huining County can be mined for at least thousands of years and will not be exhausted because of his mining."
"Do you mean to hand over Huining County to the Sui Dynasty?" Li Jiancheng said with some dissatisfaction.
Li Shimin pursed his lips into a straight line and said nothing. Li Yuan glared at Li Jiancheng fiercely, "Shimin is giving me a political report, don't interrupt casually!"
"Yes!" Li Jiancheng endured this breath.
"Shimin, please continue." Li Yuan said softly to Li Shimin again.
Li Yuan has realized that tough measures cannot solve the problem of Huining County. He will only suffer humiliation and greater losses. He doesn't want to listen to Li Jiancheng's plan to encircle Wei and save Zhao. However, the plan of his second son Shimin is quite interesting.
He was very interested in the feeling of taking a step back and seeing the vast sea and sky.
Li Shimin cheered up and continued: "Actually, the main problem we have now is that we don't dare to face reality. Yang Yuanqing's will to occupy Huining County is very strong and he will not hesitate to fight us. In this case, we should avoid his edge.
But we can't give in completely. Let's give in first and give the mines in the north to the Sui army. We occupy the south of Huining County and keep the Hexi Passage. At the same time, we don't abandon Huining County and create a confrontation situation. Talk to Yang Yuanqing about Nanyang County and Xiyang.
Regarding the county issue, once the time is right, we will take back the mines in Huining County. My father and I want to take a long-term view."
Li Shimin's plan was actually Li Shentong's plan, but they were thrown out at different times and with different motivations, so they were essentially graphite. One plan turned into black carbon, and the other turned into diamonds.
Li Yuan hated Li Shentong for running away from the battle, but appreciated Li Shimin's long-term plan. He thought for a moment and finally nodded, "The emperor's words are reasonable!"
At this time, a eunuch reported at the door, "Your Majesty, Princess Pingyang Zhao wants to see you!"
Li Yuan was startled, and he immediately understood that this was his daughter who came here to care about Chai Shao. He felt a headache. After talking for a long time, there was no good plan on how to solve Chai Shao's crisis. He looked at Li Shimin as if asking for help.
At this time, Li Shimin was full of confidence. Since his father had obeyed his plan, he could not stay out of the follow-up measures. He could resolve Chai Shao's crisis and seize the military power of Guannei Road. He would strike in advance and become the winner in the end.
"Father, please let me go talk to Third Sister. I just hope that father can resolve the issue of Huining County for me."
Li Yuan nodded, took out a gold medal and handed it to Li Shimin, "I allow you to mobilize the Kansai army to resolve the crisis in Huining County."
Although the military power in Guanzhong belonged to Li Shimin, the power to mobilize the world's armies was firmly in Li Yuan's hands. Without this gold medal for mobilizing troops, Li Shimin could only mobilize his three thousand personal guards.
"Thank you, Father, I will not let you down!"
Li Shimin bowed deeply, took the gold medal and retired. Only Li Jiancheng and Li Yuan, father and son, were left in the room. Li Yuan glanced at Li Jiancheng and said calmly: "To fight a tiger, we need father and son to fight. To fight, we need brothers. Shimin will do his best."
We will rescue Hui Ning County from danger, and you will be responsible for the negotiations in Taiyuan. You brothers, one civil and one military, will each perform their duties."
Li Jiancheng knew that it was irreversible. His second brother had taken away the leadership of Huining County. He was very clear about his second brother's intention. He would not start early without benefit. Without enough benefit, Shimin would never take over this mess.
What is this interest? It is almost no need to think about it. It must be the sphere of influence of the Guan Nei Dao. Li Shimin wants to connect Guanzhong and Guan Nei.
This time, the emperor's uncle's actions angered his father. It can be seen from his father's attitude that he is ready to severely punish the emperor's uncle. The emperor's uncle's sphere of influence in Guannei Road will definitely not be preserved.
However, Li Jiancheng was absolutely unwilling to give up the sphere of influence of Guannei Dao to the King of Qin. He had to carefully ask: "How do you plan to deal with your uncle?"
Li Yuan understood what Jiancheng meant, and he definitely wanted to protect Li Shentong, but Li Yuan was very disappointed with Li Shentong. This disappointment was not due to a problem with Li Shentong's strategy, but his motives.
He refused to attack the mines in Liangchuan County. Instead, he led his army south to confront the Sui army from a distance. This was obviously to avoid fighting and was afraid that his army would be annihilated.
The forces in the Guannei Road between the Sui and Tang Dynasties were intertwined. Sooner or later, there would be a war to compete for the Guannei Road. With the cowardice shown by Li Shentong this time, it was destined that he would not be able to protect the Guannei Road in the future. If it were not for the fact that he was one of his own clan
For the sake of his younger brother, even Hexi Road was not given to him.
Thinking of this, Li Yuan said coldly: "Your uncle disobeyed my will and abandoned the prince-in-law to flee south. As a result, we suffered a great loss. Qiu Xinggong was killed in battle. He has an unshirkable responsibility. I have decided to let him return to Hexi.
Stop interfering with the military affairs of the Pass."
Li Yuan's tone was very firm and he did not give Li Jiancheng a chance to plead. Li Jiancheng was helpless. Now that his father had decided, it would be difficult to save his uncle, so he had to come up with a second plan.
"Father, this time Chai Shao resolutely carries out his will and would rather die than retreat to protect the dignity of the Tang Dynasty. I think it would be wiser to let Chai Shao guard the inner roads of the pass. I wonder what my father thinks?"
Li Yuan actually meant the same thing. It was impossible for him to give all Guanzhong and Guannei Road to his second son Shimin. It would be too dangerous. Balance of power is the kingly rule. Chai Shao is from the Dragon Sect, so it is most appropriate to hand it over to him.
But you can't say this too early. If you say it too early, Shimin will not be interested in solving the crisis in Huining County for him. Li Yuan is like Ming Jing in his heart. He knows what to do?
"Let me consider this matter again and take a long-term approach."."."."
"Second brother, it will take at least two days for you to rush to Longxi, and it will take another two or three days to send troops to Huining County. It's too late, no way! I want to ask my father for a troop of troops, and I will personally lead the troops to rescue.
"
Li Xiuning is two years older than Li Shimin. They are half-sisters and have a deep relationship. At this time, she is eager to save her husband and insists on seeing her father.
"Third sister, my father has made an arrangement for me to rescue my brother-in-law. Moreover, the DPRK and China have their own systems for military power. My father cannot give you troops, otherwise..."
Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said: "I will hand over my three thousand escort troops to you. You can go to assist your brother-in-law first. Then I will send troops from Longxi County to the north."
Li Xiuning was overjoyed. She knew that her second brother's 3,000 Xuanjia troops were the best among the best. They were commanded by General Wei Chigong and had extremely strong combat effectiveness. With these cavalry and the 500 soldiers from the princess's palace, they were enough to rescue her husband.
She gave a deep bow and said, "Sister, remember the love between second brother and brother, and I will definitely return this favor to you one day."
Li Shimin gave a wry smile. In order to win over Chai Shao, he had already sacrificed the life of General Qiu Xinggong, and now he gave the most elite three thousand Xuanjia troops to the third sister. This favor is really not small. I hope Chai Shao can accept this favor and gradually gravitate towards him.
Own.
An hour later, Li Xiuning led three thousand Xuanjia cavalry and He Ruo's five hundred personal guards to leave the military camp outside the city and ran northwestward like lightning, rushing to Huining County to rescue her husband.