Cheng Wuting thought for a long time and finally came up with an answer that he thought was reasonable: Li Jing did it on purpose...
Deliberately sending Liu Yanjing, a rookie, to lead troops into battle, and then deliberately causing a defeat?
What's the reason?
It makes sense that Liu Dewei, the father of Liu Yanjing, wanted to have a close relationship with the Guanlong clan, perhaps because he wanted to take the opportunity to suppress the only remaining noble Guanlong in the court.
But just to suppress Guan Longxungui, he would not hesitate to suffer a huge defeat that is very likely to lead to the erosion of the situation?
If this is really the case, it’s scary to think about it...
Cheng Wuting looked at Fang Jun with dumbfounded eyes and stammered: "Well...could it be that Duke Wei deliberately wants a defeat? This is to lure those people with ulterior motives to jump out, and then kill them all... What a good plan! But although this plan is clever, it is also dangerous. If you fail to kill the snake and get bitten instead, the gain will outweigh the loss."
Fang Jun: "Villains die from talking too much, and supporting characters die from knowing too much... You know too much."
Cheng Yaojin swallowed and kept silent, but his heart felt like a stormy sea.
If the speculation is true, then Fang Jun asked himself to keep an eye on Li Daozong. Is it because Li Daozong was secretly colluding with the rebels and would rush into Tai Chi Palace to kill the emperor and usurp the throne at the critical moment?
If this is really the case, and his mission is to guard the Taiji Palace, when Li Daozong enters the Chongxuan Gate from the Xuanwu Gate, he will have to lead his army to intercept it... Think about the thousands of elites in the Xuanwu Gate, some of whom are great ancestors. Descendants of the emperor's "Yuan Cong Forbidden Army" and part of His Majesty Li Er's "Xuanjia Iron Cavalry", their combat power...
Cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
It’s not that he’s worried that he won’t be able to defeat him, but that the consequences of failure are too serious and definitely not something he, a mere deputy general, can bear…
Fang Jun drank water, looked at his nervous look, and said with a smile: "The edge of a sword is sharpened. If it has not passed a truly severe test, how can it be successful? But don't worry too much, Jiangxia County The probability of the king’s rebellion is extremely small, and the army will secretly come to reinforce him tomorrow.”
Hearing that there were reinforcements, Cheng Mingzhen hurriedly asked: "Which army is it? What is its combat strength?"
Fang Jun put down his tea cup, looked out the window at the autumn scenery in the rain, and said leisurely: "The combat power is naturally first-class, and each of them is good at fighting and not afraid of death. As for which army it is... we will keep it secret for the time being."
Cheng Mingzhen was puzzled: "Why secret reinforcements?"
"If Xuandemen's additional troops are enough to deter all troops, then who will dare to attack Taiji Palace? If no one comes to attack Taiji Palace, how can you sharpen your abilities? If your abilities cannot be sharpened, Your Majesty How can I promote and reuse you in the future?"
Cheng Mingzhen: "..."
Is it okay if I don’t work hard? Is it okay if you don’t want this opportunity for His Majesty to promote you?
It's too dangerous...
*****
"Penetration" is often mutual. The right guard infiltrates into Xuanwu Gate all the time, gaining insight into the movements above and below Xuanwu Gate. By the same token, how can the garrison at Xuanwu Gate not penetrate into the left and right guards?
Since the day when Li Daozong took command of Xuanwu Gate, he had been constantly infiltrating into the two military camps outside the city gate, using all possible means of bribery, coercion, spying, etc. After all, Xuanwu Gate was backed by Taiji Palace, which was equivalent to an isolated city with no one. The retreat is that once the left and right garrison changes, the situation is too dangerous. If the left and right garrison changes and you cannot detect it in time, you will be too passive.
In the night, the Xuanwu Gate is covered with shadows, and the lights above and below the city are swaying in the wind and rain, flickering on and off. Li Daozong is sitting in the duty room at the bottom of the city, listening to his lieutenants reporting back to the situation outside the city.
Liu Renshi stood solemnly on the side of the table and said respectfully: "The news has been sent back. Cheng Yaojin stood still and watched as Yuchi Gong crossed from the north side of his barracks and rushed to Shenheyuan. Liang Jianfang led three thousand soldiers to fight in Duqu's formation. The enemy was outnumbered and the entire army was annihilated. After arriving at Shenheyuan, Yuchi Gong and his army set up camp for temporary repairs. They will set off for Chang'an early tomorrow morning. Wei Gong has sent Liu Yanjing to lead an army of 10,000 to evacuate from the water defense line and rush to Hongguyuan and Hongguyuan. In the Fengqiyuan area, we are trying to resist Yuchi Gong's army."
"Liu Yanjing?" Li Daozong thought for a while and then remembered who Liu Yanjing was. He frowned and said, "This son is young and weak, and his abilities are not obvious at all. He does not have the charisma of his father in both civil and military affairs. How can he be entrusted with such an important task by Duke Wei? "
Liu Renshi said: "Liu Yanjing can't be considered a dandy. He still has some abilities. He is the best among the only remaining Guanlong disciples. He may not be able to achieve success in the future, but he can command three to two thousand people. , there is absolutely no ability to command an army of ten thousand people, so Duke Wei’s move was somewhat ill-considered.”
His father, Liu Hongji, and Liu Yanjing's father, Liu Dewei, had a close personal relationship. Not only were they of the Guanlong lineage, but they were both "Taiyuan Yuancong", the emperor's great ancestor. They were extremely close to each other and knew their roots well.
Li Daozong's eyes flashed, he thought for a long time, and sighed: "It is indeed a good thing to lure a snake into an urn, but sometimes you get bitten by a snake. It is not wise to take such risks."
Liu Renshi was puzzled, but did not ask.
Li Daozong sighed with emotion and asked: "Is there any unusual movement in the left and right guards?"
"The Zuo Tun Guard is as usual. The entire army has been on alert since yesterday. Weapons and weapons have been distributed. There are a large number of soldiers patrolling the camp day and night. There are not many abnormalities. However, there is something unusual about the Right Tun Guard. Li Fengjie has been working in tandem. He kept meeting privately with his father's former subordinates, his behavior was suspicious, and he was obviously planning something evil. Gao Kan warned him twice, but Li Fengjie turned a deaf ear and continued to go his own way."
Li Daozong frowned and tapped his fingers subconsciously on the table...
Something's really wrong.
As far as he knew, although Gao Kan did not have a prominent background, he was single-handedly promoted by Fang Jun from a soldier to the general of Youtun Guard. He was one person under one person and above tens of thousands of people in Youtun Guard. He was a calm, honest, fair and fair man. Selfless and highly prestigious. Although he was nominally the "General of Youtunwei", he also tried to install cronies to trick him, but all ended in failure.
After all, Youtun Guard is still Fang Jun's army, and most of the generals, captains, and soldiers in the army obey Fang Jun...
With Gao Kan's ability and support, how could he be helpless against a mere Li Fengjie?
Think again about Li Jing sending Liu Yanjing, who had no qualifications and mediocre abilities, to lead his army to resist Yu Chigong's right guard...
Obviously everything is within the chess game.
"The ambition is not small. It seems that he has a bit of the courage of Emperor Taizong. It's just that people decide what to do and what to do depends on heaven. But it's still unclear whether it is destiny..."
Li Daozong mumbled and ignored it.
…
In the imperial study, Li Chengqian and Li Ji sat opposite each other on the floor by the window. There were several ordinary dishes placed on the lacquered eucalyptus table in front of them, which were exquisite but not extravagant. The fine wine in the white porcelain jar was also the rice wine sent as tribute from the south of the Yangtze River. A glass of wine will make you feel good, but you won't get drunk.
Li Ji had no expression on his face, but there was some emotion in his heart. His Majesty, the emperor who grew up in the palace, was not tainted with extravagance. His daily expenses were mainly practical and did not blindly pursue luxury. He was a rare understanding person.
Li Chengqian personally held the pot to fill the wine glass in front of Li Ji, and said with a smile: "It is an ordinary side dish. Let us, monarch and minister, have a few drinks. Any slights will be tolerated."
Li Ji said sincerely: "Your Majesty is the Supreme Being and is rich all over the world. Even if you should not be too extravagant, you don't have to wrong yourself. Especially in terms of food, you should be more generous, otherwise you will be ashamed and humiliated."
All the civil and military officials in the dynasty came from well-known families. They were pampered and pampered since they were young. Now that they are in high positions and powerful, they are even more extravagant and eat a lot of food. This is already the current trend in the court, but as an emperor and the Supreme Being of the Nine Five-Year Plan, it is like this Doesn't the simplicity and plainness make the ministers feel guilty and frightened?
"It doesn't matter," Li Chengqian took a sip of wine and said calmly: "I am not that kind of stern person. The reason why I spend so little money is because I have long been tired of eating those delicacies. As you said, I am rich all over the world. I really want to Eat whatever you want and use whatever you want, how can you not live without it? I won’t be too critical of the daily life of the ministers. Who doesn’t live for enjoyment? It’s just that each other’s understanding of enjoyment is different. Some people enjoy annihilating enemies and destroying countries. Glory and meritorious deeds, some people enjoy the scorn of Fang Qiu who leads the country, some people enjoy the appetite of delicacies from the mountains and seas, and some people enjoy the drunken life and dreams of beautiful women... As long as it does not violate the law, I don't care."
Li Ji was silent for a moment and said with admiration: "Your Majesty has a broad mind and can accommodate hundreds of rivers. I am far behind."
The more I get along with Li Chengqian, the more I realize that this is a king who is seriously underestimated by the outside world. Now I have not only seen the courage and courage that is not inferior to Emperor Taizong, but also understands the mind that can accommodate the world, and I can't help but be impressed.
After thinking about the past, I also understand that the reason why Li Chengqian did not perform well in front of Emperor Taizong was that he was under great pressure and worried about gains and losses, so he made repeated mistakes. Looking at it now, it is really excusable.
In the face of gains and losses in reserve, who can maintain a normal mind? Especially the tragic consequences after Yi Chu can really crush people completely. In fact, it is commendable that Li Chengqian did not collapse under such heavy pressure.
Change source app]
But the rest of the princes are different. They are in lower positions. They are lucky if they get it, and they will lose nothing if they don't get it. Especially Li Chengqian has a kind personality, and he will not even take revenge on him after he ascends the throne.
The princes have no worries and can naturally go all out to fight for the throne. It is reasonable for their performance to become increasingly outstanding.
Li Chengqian motioned to Li Ji to enjoy the cold cabbage heart on the plate, and said with a smile: "Why should you be so humble, Lord Ying? Emperor Taizong appointed you as Shangshu Zuopushe and became the chief minister. I also respect you very much in my heart. You They are not only the white jade pillars of the Tang Dynasty’s military, but also the purple golden beams that frame the sea above the court. We, the monarchs and ministers, should complement each other and walk hand in hand to continue the prosperous Zhenguan era left by Emperor Taizong for a long time, even for a hundred years. Thousands of years later, people still look forward to and admire this period of history."
Li Ji didn't expect that it was just an ordinary small gathering, but it was the Hongmen Banquet set by the emperor.
He knew that he had to take a stand. If he continued to be as vague and silent as before, there might be hundreds of swordsmen ambushing him outside the imperial study. When the emperor gave the order, they would swarm in and chop him into pieces. Meat paste...
After pondering for a while, Li Ji held the pot in both hands to pour wine for Li Chengqian, and then stood up: "I was promoted by the late emperor and became the prime minister and assistant. I should have served myself wholeheartedly and died for myself. However, in times of crisis such as the death of the late emperor and the accession of His Majesty to the throne, However, I have not fulfilled my responsibilities as the chief minister. I feel guilty and my heart is aching to my bones. Please forgive me."
A bow to the ground.
In any case, since we must take a stand, we must admit this mistake. This is a matter of stance...
