Li Shimin, one emperor through the ages

Chapter 17
"To appease Li Mi, do you have a good plan?"

"Li Mi is currently very powerful and has become defiant. My father only needs to write a letter to Li Mi in a humble tone, expressing his willingness to promote him as the leader of the alliance. Li Mi will naturally not want to make me an enemy after seeing him." Li Shimin said slowly after thinking.

Li Yuan was overjoyed when he heard this.Being able to bend and stretch is what a man does.I didn't expect my son to have such a cultivation base at the age of youthful vigor. Such consideration is really rare.Thinking about it this way, I felt that there was no need to discuss this matter, so I asked someone to bring a pen and paper, wrote a letter in front of everyone, and sent a special envoy to send it to Li Mi.Li Mi was very proud to see that Li Yuan's special envoy treated him with humility and respect, and when he opened the letter to read it, he was even more proud:

"We all belong to the Li family of Longxi and the Eight Pillars of the Western Wei Dynasty. Although my brother and I are in different places, we have the same root. Although I am raising an army today, I only want to reclaim the world and respect the Sui Dynasty. I was born as a younger brother. Today's hero, I would like to be promoted as the leader of the alliance to achieve great things. If things come to fruition, brother Meng will not give up, and Xia Feng will be granted to Tang, so I will be satisfied..."

After reading it, Li Mi felt flustered, raised the letter, and said loudly to the officials: "If Tang Guogong recommends it like this, the world's security will not belong to Li Mi!"

After finishing speaking, everyone responded in unison, and Wagang village was full of joy.Li Mi asked someone to bring the Four Treasures of the Study, and was about to write back to Li Yuan immediately.Xu Shiji, Duke of Donghai County, the first advisor under his command, looked aside and said, "How can Li Yuan lead behind Duke Wei? It's just that he wants to attack Huoyi, and he is afraid that Duke Wei will attack him. His letter is humble, and it's just an expedient measure. This feigned humility further demonstrates Li Yuan's ambition. Why is Duke Wei still so happy?"

Li Mi was very disappointed when he heard this, looked at Xu Shiji very unhappy and said, "According to the general, how should we deal with it?"

"Ignore it!"

The special envoy listened and was taken aback. At this moment, Li Mi stared at Xu Shiji and said angrily: "Mr. Tang is a hero in the world. He respects me so much and is sincere. Mr.... is just out of jealousy. Don't be jealous!"

After hearing this, Xu Shiji sighed and walked away.

This Xu Shiji, named Maogong, was born in a wealthy family.His father, Xu Gai, was kind and generous.When Xu Shiji was 17 years old, the Sui Dynasty was in chaos, so he joined Zhai Rang's Wagang Army.When we first went there, seeing the Wagang army rampant in the village, he persuaded Zhai Rang, saying: "Rabbits don't eat grass by the side of their nests. We can go to Song and Zhengzhou to rob the money of merchants. This is much better than robbing the nearby villagers." Jean followed his advice, and as a result, many nearby villagers came to join the rebel army, which greatly developed the rebel army.After Li Mi was defeated by Yang Xuangan and came to Wagang, Li Shiji saw that Li Mi was more capable than Zhai Rang, so he, Qin Jibao, Cheng Zhijie and others persuaded Zhai Rang to regard Li Mi as the master.Zhai Rang listened to the persuasion and made Li Mi the master of Wagang.After Li Mi presided over Wagang, he proclaimed himself Duke Wei.

Soon, Emperor Yang ordered Wang Shichong, a general of the Sui Dynasty, to crusade against Wagang.Li Mi sent Xu Shiji to lead the army to meet the enemy.After refusing to fight many times, Xu Shiji stood out and defeated Wang Shichong in Luoshui.Li Mi rewarded Xu Shiji for his meritorious deeds, and named Xu Shiji the Duke of Donghai County.Not long after, Henan and Shandong were flooded, and hungry people were everywhere.Emperor Yangdi did not go to relieve the people, causing tens of thousands of people to starve to death every day.Seeing this, Xu Shiji said to Li Mi:

"The chaos in the world today is caused by hunger. Wagang can take advantage of this to capture Liyang Guocang. First, we can open the warehouse to relieve the hungry people. Second, we can use this to expand our troops." Li Mi listened and ordered Xu Shiji to attack Liyang.Xu Shiji led his troops there and captured Liyang that day.Open warehouses to help the people and recruit troops.In just ten days, more than 20 new troops were recruited, and Li Mi's prestige was greatly enhanced.Gradually, Li Mi became arrogant and no longer obeyed Xu Shiji's opinion as before.

This time, Li Mi saw Xu Shiji walk away.Although he knew that he was very unhappy, he didn't pay attention to it.He smiled apologetically at the special envoy, picked up a pen and paper, and wrote a reply letter to Li Yuan.The special envoy took Li Mi's letter with great joy, hurried back to Xihe County, and handed Li Mi's letter to Li Yuan.Li Yuan read it, laughed dumbfounded, and handed the letter to Pei Ji.

"My brother can understand the general situation, and I can be regarded as the leader of the heroes of the world, which shows that my brother has a far-sighted vision and can recognize heroes. I should make a good relationship with you forever, work together, hold my son in Xianyang, and kill Shangxin in Muye, wouldn't it? Sheng Zai?" Pei Ji read Li Mi's reply letter to Li Yuan vividly, and everyone laughed when they heard it.

"This Li Mi, really thinks of himself as Wei Gong who sits in the government, has three divisions and six guards, and the marshal's mansion. He thinks that he will be able to 'eliminate the ruins of the Sui Dynasty and issue the general's decree'?" Liu Wenjing held back. laughed.

"Li Mi is conceited, and now I use humble words to praise him to be proud of his aspirations. Now, we can concentrate on the westward expedition!" Li Yuan said comfortably: "When the time comes, when Guanzhong is settled, we will rely on danger to raise our prestige. Watching the fight between snipe and clam, I’m only going to take advantage of the fisherman’s profit!” After speaking, Li Yuan couldn’t help laughing, and then said seriously:
"This is the end of the matter. Tomorrow, troops will be dispatched in the school grounds, and we will go out to take down Huo Yi!"

4
In Taiyuan in July, although the chill invaded Chengguan, the vegetation was still luxuriant.On this day, the clouds are light and the sky is high, the eagle soars in the blue sky, and the wind blows the green trees.The sun had just risen, and the smoke was filling the ancient city. Li Yuan personally led the central army, and Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin led the left and right armies respectively, and they came to the school grounds with great momentum.

The red flag of the Sui Dynasty has been replaced by the newly reformed crimson-white flag.In the morning wind, the crimson-white flags trembled slightly, as if they were mourning for an old dynasty that was about to collapse, and also seemed to be expressing condolences for a new dynasty that was about to rise.Nearly [-] troops filled Ruo Da's campus.At this moment, Li Yuan was standing on the high platform due to the north of the school grounds, full of energy, his eyes like torches.He looked up to the south and loudly proclaimed his oath of war:

"Emperor Yang stayed in the south and ignored political affairs for a long time, so that the government was barren, ministers rebelled against the people, rebels rose everywhere, and the people suffered unspeakably. In order to revitalize and save the people and stabilize the court, Li Yuan wanted to respect Emperor Yang of Sui as the overlord and replace him with Wang Yang. You became emperor so that the Sui Dynasty could be stabilized and the people of the Sui Dynasty could be freed from the suffering of war. To achieve this goal, Li Yuan obeyed the destiny and sent troops to march west..."

After the announcement, all the sergeants shouted three times:

"Respect Emperor Yang as the Supreme Emperor, and establish the acting king Yang You as the emperor!"

After hearing this, Li Yuan's face gradually became serious, and his voice was overwhelming. He drew out his long sword and pointed to the west:
"Soldiers enter Huoyi!"

Following an order, nearly 10 horses and horses embarked on a journey westward.When the army arrived at Fort Jiahu, fifty miles northwest of Huoyi, there were no Song Laosheng troops stationed there.Li Yuan ordered to set up camp, took Li Shimin brothers and Pei Ji and others, climbed to a high ground, and looked up at the surrounding terrain.At this moment, the pattering autumn rain came down quietly. Although it was not strong and the sound was soft, it was very persistent and would not stop for a moment.

Li Yuan and his party had to go back to the camp immediately.After that, for three consecutive days, the autumn rain continued, and there was no sign of it stopping.The soldier's new armor was wet, shivering in the cold autumn wind and rain, and the food and grass that had not been covered in time were wet and lost their original fragrance.The roads everywhere are muddy, making it difficult for people to walk.In the incessant and persistent autumn rain, everything becomes dull and lifeless.Qiu Yu suppressed the joy in Li Yuan's heart, and also kept hitting the newly boosted morale.For three days, Li Yuan would stand alone in front of the big tent every day, looking at the cloudy sky and the occasional soldiers coming and going in the mud.By his side, he is often accompanied by his two sons, Pei Ji and Liu Wenjing.

Yang You, the 13-year-old son of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty and the acting king, heard the news that Li Yuan had raised his troops. He immediately ordered Huya to station Song Laosheng with 2 elite troops in Huoyi, and also sent Zuowuhou General Qu Tutong to station three troops in Hedong. , to stop Li Yuan from advancing westward.Both Song Laosheng and Qu Tutong were well-known generals in the Sui Dynasty. They were not only battle-tested and proficient in warfare, but also loyal to the Sui Dynasty.Especially Qu Tutong, whose ancestors were originally from Kumoxi race.His father, Qu Tu Changqing, was the governor of Qiongzhou in the Northern Zhou Dynasty.Qu Tutong has a resolute character, high martial arts skills, loyalty and integrity, and is upright.As early as Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Qu Tutong had been the governor of the personal guard.Once, under the order of Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he went to Longxi to inspect the imperial herds and found more than 500 hidden horses that had not been reported. Emperor Wen was furious when he heard about it, and wanted to behead all the more than 500 people involved.When Qu Tutong saw them, he pleaded with Emperor Wen and said: "Human life is the most important thing, and death is never reborn. Your Majesty is the most benevolent and holy. How can you kill so many people for the sake of animals? Please forgive them and let them make meritorious deeds." It’s better to graze horses.” Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was furious at the time, and after hearing this, he scolded him with angry eyes.Qu Tutong was not afraid of this, but said: "If I can absolve them of their crimes, I am willing to die for them." After hearing this, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was moved. After recruiting more than [-] people, Qu Tutong was promoted to General Youwuhou Chariot and Cavalry.After Sui Yangdi seized the father's throne, Qu Tutong was transferred to General Zuo Xiaowei.In the army that wiped out Yang Xuangan's incident, Qu Tutong made great contributions, and Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty promoted him to the rank of General Zuoxiao Cavalry Guard.

The current situation is very unfavorable to Li Yuan.Standing in front of him were not only two brave generals who echoed each other and were loyal to Emperor Yangdi, but also Huoyi's dangerous terrain, which could be relied on, coupled with the continuous autumn rain, it was really difficult to take Huoyi not easy.

"This rain, I'm afraid it won't stop within three to five days." Li Yuan seemed to ask himself, and also seemed to ask Liu Wenjing.

"I think it's difficult! For the current plan, we can send [-] elite soldiers back to Taiyuan, and add another month's supply of food." Liu Wenjing said.

Li Yuan nodded and turned his gaze to Pei Ji.

"Song Laosheng and Qu Tutong are now responding according to the danger, and Huoyi may not be captured soon." Pei Ji said: "I am worried that Li Mi is a treacherous hero who is only interested in profit, so you must not believe it; the Turks in the north are also the same. Everyone has the heart to encroach on Taiyuan, not to mention Liu Wuzhou of Mayi, who is also eyeing Taiyuan. We take Taiyuan as our foothold, and Taiyuan is our base camp. Now, under the peeping of these three forces, if we lose , the consequences will be disastrous. So I think, the surefire strategy: it is better to return to the army for the time being, and then look for opportunities to go west."

Li Yuan's face was full of sadness when he heard this.This westward march was a great wish in my life, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but unfortunately things backfired.Originally, he didn't have much advantage in military strength, but he wanted to take down Huo Yi with his strong morale.At that time, the army will be able to expand like a snowball while accepting the rebels and recruiting troops. How exciting is this!But this time, the weather was not good, and it gave such unlucky weather!If the city is to be forcibly attacked, the casualties must be serious.This violated the big taboo of raising troops. What's worse, if Huo Yi can't attack for a long time, Taiyuan will be attacked by Li Mi or Turkic soldiers again?Thinking of this, Li Yuan gasped.Sure enough, when the time comes... Li Yuan asked himself in his heart, staring straight at the silver gray rainy sky, his eyes opened wider and wider.After a long time, he let out a long sigh.Almost yelled out:
"Just return to the army like this, how can I be willing?!"

4
General Li Yuan's roar shocked everyone.Li Shimin was worried that Li Yuan was going to retreat, so he took a step forward, and was about to speak, Li Yuan seemed to know what he was going to say, waved his hands and said, "You all go back to the army, let me think twice about this."

Li Shimin wanted to say more, but Li Jiancheng gave him a look and pulled him away.When they came outside the tent, the two brothers got on their horses and walked slowly side by side.

"Just now I wanted to ask my father not to return to Taiyuan, why did my brother hold me back?" Li Shimin asked: "Does my brother also agree to return to Taiyuan?"

"I thought we must not return to the army." Li Jiancheng said: "It's just that what Pei Changshi said is not unreasonable. To convince my father to make up his mind to take Huo Yi, we still need to come up with a good strategy, otherwise it will be difficult to convince my father." .”

"Brother, do you have a good plan?" Li Shimin asked anxiously.

Li Jiancheng shook his head and said, "I hope to work with my second brother to come up with a perfect plan to convince my father."

Li Shimin nodded.The two brothers summoned their respective staff and subordinates to discuss the strategy of persuading Li Yuan to attack Huoyi.

It was very late at night, Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng came to their father's camp.Seeing them coming in, Li Yuan didn't speak, but just looked at them quietly, obviously wanting to hear their brother's opinion.Li Shimin looked at his elder brother, and seeing his elder brother nodding to him, he opened his mouth and said:
"Liu Changshi has two main concerns: one is that the rainy weather will not be able to overcome Huoyi quickly, he is worried about the lack of military rations, and he is worried about the difficulties in Taiyuan. My child believes that it is the harvest season and there are grains everywhere, so there is no need to return to Taiyuan, and the nearby ones can It is not a problem to purchase food. Li Mi has just appeased him and has respected him as the leader of the alliance. He is looking forward to us taking down Huoyi and reaping the benefits. It is impossible to take advantage of this to attack Taiyuan. Liu Wu and Zhou united, but they were suspicious of each other, just like us. If he wanted to raise troops, he would attack Mayi first. From this point of view, Liu Changshi's worries were really too much. From this point of view, their considerations, although It's possible, but it's probably negligible. It's a huge risk to raise our troops. If we capture Huoyi this time, we will enter the gate of Chang'an. If we return to the army, it will damage morale , missed the opportunity again. So no matter what, it is worthwhile for us to take a risk for this. Therefore, the boy and the elder brother are willing to fight to the death to win Huoyi to achieve a great cause. I hope my father will be firm in this matter. The rain stops and the army marches, if Huoyi cannot be captured, the boy is willing to die as an apology."

Li Yuan was greatly moved when he heard this. He looked at Li Shimin and then at Li Jiancheng. He kept his eyes on Li Jiancheng and asked:

"You mean that too?"

"Boy and my second brother have the same views. What my second brother said just now is exactly what my two brothers have been thinking about for a long time." Li Jiancheng said.

"However, in such weather, how can we enter the army?" Li Yuan sighed again, and said, "What my son said is not unreasonable, but what we are doing now, we must not make a mistake, otherwise we will be defeated. Now, enter, We are not very sure; if we retreat, we can ensure our power, and if we return, we still have a chance.”

"However, we have already sworn in, and the army horses have already arrived here. If we encounter such weather, we will return home in class. I am afraid that the army's morale will be lost, which will not be good for me."

Li Yuan listened to Li Shimin's argument, paused for a while, raised his head, looked at his two sons, and said resolutely: "I have made up my mind, you two should return to the camp quickly, and tomorrow we will be in Taiyuan."

Li Shimin still wanted to speak, but Li Yuan had already entered the inner room.Seeing him, Li Jiancheng gave his second brother a look, wanting him to leave with him.Li Shimin didn't pay attention, just stood there blankly.

"Let's go, second brother."

"No, you go back first, I'm right here." Li Shimin said stubbornly.Seeing him like this, Li Jiancheng had no choice but to leave alone.

(End of this chapter)