"Huairen, is the news confirmed?"
The person who asked this question was Jiang Guogong Chen Shuda, the minister's minister, and his voice was trembling.
"I dare not say anything conclusive, but I cannot ignore it." Li Shan's answer left everyone speechless.
But everyone also knew that although most people didn't know why Pei Shiju suddenly confessed the news, they would never say it randomly... There is no point in telling such a lie.
The feeling of panic appeared in the hearts of many people, such as Yu Wenshi, the minister of Zhongshu, who couldn't help but suggest that perhaps His Majesty and the Crown Prince could temporarily avoid Hanzhong or Puzhou in Hedong.
It is very safe to go to Hanzhong. You can reach the Central Plains by going east, and you can go to Shu by going south. It is also safe to go to Puzhou. After passing Tongguan, you will reach the Central Plains.
Yuwen Shiji's suggestion was not severely criticized, because in fact, it was indeed the most dangerous time in the ten years since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
At that time, Xue Rengao defeated Longzhou, attacked Ningzhou, and besieged Jingzhou. Before the battle of Qianshuiyuan, he was rampant, but after all, there was Qizhou between him and Jingzhao.
At that time, Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang swept across Hedong, forcing Li Yuan to give up Hedong, but they did not cross the Yellow River after all, and there was no direct threat to Jingzhao.
But this time is different. The Turkic coalition forces Xue Yantuo invaded Longyou Road in a large scale. Once Li Shentong, the king of Huai'an stationed in Lanzhou, is defeated, Hu Qi will be able to invade the pass, and they will probably invade Jingzhao within two or three days. , the newly born Tang Dynasty will face an extremely difficult test.
The most critical point is that the war situation in Hedong has taken a turn for the worse, causing the DPRK and China to mobilize troops from Jingzhao, Longzhou, and Qizhou twice in a row. This makes Jingzhao currently extremely short of troops.
Li Shimin frowned and thought hard for a moment and then said: "Once Chang'an is abandoned, not only Guan Nei and Longyou, but also Hedong will be unable to be saved."
"Lingzhou Army, Daizhou Army, Bingzhou Army..."
After Li Shimin spoke, Li Shancai said decisively: "If you abandon Chang'an, the Tang Dynasty will no longer be glorious."
"If the Northern Territory is allowed to be ravaged by barbarians, the Tang Dynasty will no longer be popular!"
Li Shan stared at Li Yuan, "Your Majesty, you must not retreat lightly!"
"Okay!" Li Yuan gritted his teeth and stood up, "The prince is in charge of Chang'an, and the forces in Jingzhao and surrounding areas are controlled by Li Huairen, the heir to the throne of Wei!"
Li Shimin's lips moved but he still didn't speak. He knew what Li Yuan meant... If he really couldn't keep it, he would have to keep himself as the prince.
Even if he loses Guanzhong, he can regain his strength with the prince himself.
After hearing the news that Xue Yantuo might go south in a big way, Li Shan's heart has been filled with mixed emotions such as regret and guilt.
Although it is said that Li Shimin of the Wei River Alliance reached an alliance with Jieli Khan and Tuli Khan with only six people in history, in fact, Li Yaoshi, the general manager of Lingzhou in the rear, led his troops southward and received reinforcements from several states east of Hedong and Guan Nei. They came one after another, and Chang'an also had tens of thousands of troops left behind. The situation was precarious, but it was not actually desperate.
But this time is different. Now the only three thousand elites under Yuchi Gong's command in Jingzhao are established. Li Shan regrets not taking action in advance... Li Shimin insists on having a perfect personality, but I don't want to be an emperor. Is it necessary to be perfect?
If Pei Shiju had been killed in advance, even if the East Palace rebelled, the situation would not be like this.
The most terrible problem is that in history, when Jieli Khan and Tuli Khan joined forces with more than 100,000 troops to drink in the Mawei River, it was not to conquer Chang'an and destroy the Tang Dynasty, but to take advantage of the autumn wind. How much advantage does it take.
But the difference this time is that Dubu Khan will definitely want my head, Li Huairen... Will Li Yuan and Li Shimin send me out who just turned the tide?
It's impossible from an emotional point of view, and it's impossible from a rational point of view... Li Yuan may be confused, but Li Shimin is not a fool. Once I, Li Shan, give away my head, it means that Chang'an will be unable to resist Hu Qi's attack.
Could it be that both Dubu Khan and Xue Yantuo arrived at Chang'an City and refused to eat the meat on their lips?
This emotion filled Li Shan's chest, making him promise loudly, "I am willing to shed blood!"
Li Yuan quickly took a few steps and held Li Shan's hands, "If you are not defeated in this battle, I promise you eternal wealth."
Li Shan smiled bitterly, "Wealth for a century... If it cannot survive, the Tang Empire, which was once so prominent in history, will die prematurely. Even if it survives, it is impossible for the Tang Dynasty to violate the laws of history... There has been no dynasty for three hundred years since ancient times."
Taking a deep breath, Li Shan said: "First of all, defeat the Tianjie Army."
"The rebellion in the East Palace has been defeated. The Tianjie Army will definitely have no fighting spirit. We should spread the news immediately and ask His Highness the Crown Prince to come to the front line in person. He promises that only Luo Yi will be held accountable and the rest will be pardoned."
"That's right." Dou Gui agreed: "Xue Yantuo, the Turkic allied force, is going south. Jingzhao needs to first determine the Tianjie Army and pardon the rest. This will not only dismember the Tianjie Army, but also replenish its troops."
Li Yuan looked back. Li Shimin nodded and said loudly: "Wei Chigong and Qin Qiong, order five hundred soldiers and wait outside Tonghua Gate."
Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong came out of the palace in response, and Li Shan continued: "Secondly, mobilize the troops. Luo Yi has already broken through the Great Shock Pass, and Longzhou is unable to hold on. I ordered Li Mengchang, the general manager of Longzhou, and Changda, the governor of Qizhou, to lead their troops south to Jingzhao. .”
"Qizhou, Jingzhou..." Li Shimin remembered Li Shan's advice before, "The troops will stay at the border between Jingzhao and Qizhou. Adjustments will be made based on the situation. Wei Yunqi, the governor of Ningzhou, will lead the remaining troops in Jingzhou to the east. Stick to Ningzhou."
Li Shan thought about it in his mind and said, "Indeed, this is the most appropriate. Ningzhou can be defended at the western foot of Ziwu Ridge, and it is difficult for barbarians to defeat it."
This is tantamount to giving up Longzhou, Jingzhou and most of Qizhou, and concentrating the troops in Jingzhao and Ningzhou.
"Public soldiers from Binzhou, Fangzhou, Tongzhou, and Huazhou will be mobilized to Jingzhao to come to the rescue. There are more than 40 counties in Jingzhao. Each county must mobilize the remaining soldiers to count the young and strong in Chang'an City." Li Shan After speaking clearly, he turned to Li Shimin and said, "His Royal Highness needs to decide on the military strength in Hedong."
Li Shimin had obviously considered it, "Chiang Guogong Qu Tutong controlled the army, with Xue Guogong's eldest son Sun Shunde as the main general, Zheng Rentai and Fan Xing as deputy generals, and led five thousand infantry and cavalry to return reinforcements."
Dou Gui reminded: "There is also Yanzhou Road."
Li Shan and Li Shimin looked at each other. Both of them knew that the most critical thing was Li Jing, the Duke of Yanzhou Road. If Li Jing could arrive quickly, he would be more certain to defend Chang'an.
"Please, Your Highness the Prince, send some people north to urge Medicine Master Li to go south immediately." Li Shan's face was quite calm.
Li Shimin nodded slightly. Hedong reinforcements are now in the Jiangzhou area. Some of the troops may have entered Jinzhou. Returning reinforcements will take time. The key is to cross the Yellow River.
The troops on the Yanzhou Road move south much faster. Although there are many mountains and ridges, the Qinzhi Road built by Qin Shihuang's general Meng Kuo a thousand years ago is still usable. If starting from Yanzhou, the leading cavalry can follow it. Qin Zhidao rushed to Chang'an within two days.
