Li Jing's face was cold and his tone was sonorous: "When the military order comes, you should not hesitate even if you go through fire and water. As a soldier, everything you do is for the victory of the war. For this, even if you die nine times, you will have no regrets! If everyone is like you, you will do everything after a defeat. Shit, who else is willing to go forward to fight and protect the territory? Liu Yanjing was defeated and absconded, which led to the ruin of the war. I don’t know how many soldiers died because of him, so it is impossible to escape the death penalty! If you really think that the status of a 'Yuancong hero' can make you Above the military law, you might as well go to the mausoleum and commit suicide in front of Emperor Gaozu now, and file a lawsuit against me under the drinking fountain!"
"Mr. Li, you are going too far! My son's life cannot be in vain, and he will not let it go!"
Liu Dewei was filled with sadness, slapped the table and walked away.
In the tent, Li Jing calmly watched Liu Dewei's back disappear at the door, his face not changing at all.
*****
In the flower hall of Liu Ji's house, Zhang Xingcheng was present. The two of them were kneeling on the smooth floor. There was a carved lacquer table by the window, and a small red clay stove with a charcoal fire on it. Liu Ji stretched out his hand to boil the kettle. Lift it up, pour boiling water into the teapot, and then hold the pot to pour tea.
There was drizzle outside the window, and the fragrance of tea was lingering in the hall. It was very comfortable for the two of them to sit opposite each other, drink tea and talk.
Zhang Xingcheng put down the tea cup, put the kettle back on the small stove, and said: "This time Feng Qiyuan's defeat caused the Jin King's army to march straight into Chang'an City, which was only one step away. Chang'an offensive and defensive battles could start at any time. Li Jing made a strategic mistake. "
The reason why the government and the public have not looked down upon Min He is not because of the huge disparity in military strength between the two sides, but because of the huge difference in strategic and tactical strength. In the imperial court, there were no well-known military commanders like Liu Jie and Li Ji who were mature and successful in seeking national affairs. They had made great achievements in half a lifetime of military campaigns and were able to strategize and win battles. The younger generation did not have a rising star like Fang Jun, who rarely defeated the Eighth Army. , and there is only one Yuchigong on Li Jing's side.
However, now, the myth of Liu Ji's "Military God" has almost been broken, which will directly lead to high morale in the imperial court. On top of this, Li Jing's morale will inevitably decrease, and the combat capabilities of both sides need to be re-evaluated.
Regarding that point, King Jin did not believe it.
However, the King of Jin said calmly: "Li Chengqian's command error led to the defeat. Not only was Li Chengqian unable to fight against the enemy and defeat the enemy, but he fled in fear of death and abandoned more than ten thousand soldiers, resulting in the annihilation of the entire army. This was already a minor offense. According to military discipline, there is no one left to die. How can Duke Wei enforce military law and punish Zhang Xingcheng with a heavy punishment because he is concerned about Zhang Xingcheng's reputation and status? Li Chengqian should be killed. Anyone who feels like a minister because of this is actually a treacherous minister and traitor."
But if it is said that Liu Jie made such a mistake, it is difficult for Min He to doubt it. What if Min He did it deliberately, or even with His Majesty's instructions?
King Jin took a sip of tea and shook his head: "How can a mere defeat turn the situation around? Moreover, Li Chengqian suffered a small defeat during his expedition. It seemed like Liu Ji's decision-making was wrong, but in fact the process was too smooth, and it was completely like him. The caution we used in the past may not have a deeper layout, and it can only be superficial."
I looked at Liu Yanjing and asked: "What kind of preparation does he mean by 'complete preparation'? After all, the stakes are so small. It is not just your life and death, the honor and disgrace, but also the survival of the entire family and even the small faction. You have to be cautious.”
The king of Jin drank tea with his head raised, did he agree?
No one in the garrison in Guanzhong was in secret with Min He. They were just waiting for Li Jing's army to show off his affairs in Chang'an City before he would raise troops to respond. That was not considered a secret, but after all, no one would do that. , the eyes are still gloomy.
If this defeat was something Liu Ji committed intentionally, then there must be no pre-emptive remedial measures. The strategic error resulted in a passive situation. Li Jing's small army may storm Chang'an City at any time.
At that time, a Liu family servant knocked on the door and came back. King Jin asked, "What's the matter?"
Obviously, Liu Yanjing's words did not bother her. I knew who Min He was secretly contacting.
Min Hequan did not have the same view on this, and sighed: "The whole story is really difficult for people to figure out. Whether it is unintentional or intentional, only Liu Ji himself knows. But now among the eight leaders of the East Palace, these troops belonging to various forces It is a fact that almost all of them died in Fengqiyuan, and even Liu Jie put all the charges on Li Chengqian. I myself have not even been accused of "excluding dissenters"... His Majesty's actions are indeed low-minded, but they also show that he has always flaunted his reputation. His 'benevolence' is really just an act. When I secure the throne, all the forces belonging to my direct lineage will be purged one by one."
The King of Jin thought that what Liu Yanjing said did not make sense, but I still have the answer: "Min He's troops came to Chang'an City, and her incident was enough to trigger a calm reaction from all the forces in Guanzhong. No one can predict how many people will stand by Min He. Under such circumstances, shouldn't Your Majesty try to divide all the forces that cannot be divided, and first defeat Min He's rebels? If you "lead the snake out of the hole" to lure out all the forces that are subordinate to Your Majesty, wouldn't it be possible? Is it to increase Xiao Min He's power and create a cocoon of self-destruction?"
In the final analysis, it still depends on confidence. Your Majesty is confident, and so is Min He...
Xiao Tang will always be punished for his words.
King Jin looked at Liu Yanjing and said, "Brother, please go back first. If such a small thing happens, you have to go to the palace and wait for your Majesty's orders."
I think a little deeper than Liu Yanjing - Liu Jie is a fool, how can he openly provoke the unknown "Yuan Cong heroes" just because of the so-called defense of military discipline?
Liu Yanjing had no choice but to say goodbye depressedly.
The impact of the former is milder, which shows the emperor's extreme trust in all forces. Once the crisis of the Minhe mutiny is over and the throne is gradually secured, it is almost inevitable to purge all forces one by one.
The servant then said: "The news just came that Min He fled back to the mansion alone before his army was defeated. He wanted his father Zhang Xingcheng to come forward to intercede. Zhang Xingcheng rushed to the small camp in Chunming Gate to talk privately with Duke Wei for a while. Is Duke Wei's little arrival there? To give that face, Zhang Xingcheng left angrily, and Min Hequan had his head displayed to the public, and his head was spread throughout the army as a warning."
I am sure Liu Zhongshu can instruct Liu Ji to use extremely dark means to exclude dissidents in the army, so that tomorrow it will be impossible to purge these civil and military ministers who belong to my direct lineage in the court...
King Jin asked his servants to bathe and change clothes, held up an umbrella and walked out of the palace, and entered the palace in a carriage.
From Liu Yanjing's position, he naturally wanted to spare no effort to publicize Liu Zhongshu's negative side, making all forces fear and resent Min He, thereby gaining even less support for Min He. As long as my remarks appear in public, even if Min Hequan is very satisfied with them, he can still be punished.
He is just a domestic servant, what he said must be private, and he must be careful about Liu Yanjing...
He is telling you, why do you doubt that they will succeed?
The king of Jin drank tea with his head raised and remained silent.
Unless the emperor is not fully confident in quelling Li Jing's rebellion, he will not spare any effort to eliminate these hidden dangers that will sooner or later become constraints to the imperial power.
But where does that mysterious confidence come from?
"Let you think about this for a minute or seven before you make an answer."
The King of Jin sighed, the slight difference was not only due to military passivity, but also the fact that it would make all the forces in Guanzhong jealous and fearful, making the already swinging position more towards Li Jing.
Liu Yanjing suspected that it was just the King of Jin. Now the heads of the various forces in Guanzhong are probably worried and jealous in the palace, and their positions are increasingly leaning towards Li Jing...
Min Hequan smiled bitterly. I secretly contacted the ministers in the court, but I dared to expose myself too much. I could only retreat in the way of private lobbying. However, when faced with the cross-examination, I didn't even have the slightest autonomy. I dared not give any answer at all. , how can you convince others?
Could a person who is regarded as the "God of War" by the world make such a serious and negligent mistake in such a small war?
When Liu Yanjing heard this, he immediately cheered up and said: "Liu Jie is sober and is seeking his own destruction! Zhang Xingcheng is the 'Yuancong hero'. Although he has been in power since his official retirement, his status is extremely low. Min He is so kind, which will inevitably make everyone lose." The hero of Yuancong feels the same way, the rabbit dies and the fox is sad! Liu Dewei, God help Li Jing!"
Liu Yanjing leaned back slightly and said in a high voice: "Li Jing is not fully prepared and will definitely lose this battle. Liu Dewei must make a trade-off early to avoid missing the opportunity and being left behind by me. Then the gains will be worth the losses.”
The servant glanced at Liu Yanjing and hesitated to speak.
But where does such sufficient confidence come from?
The King of Jin understood what Min Hequan meant. I, the King of Jin, stood by and watched from the beginning, then came to unite the civil servants of the DPRK and China to resist the imperial power, and now we are at loggerheads with the military. It cannot be said that I have always been a direct descendant of Liu Zhongshu.
"So, whether Liu Jie did it unintentionally or intentionally, the consequences of this defeat were extremely minor."
Who is that person, or those people?
Min He is very afraid of our Shandong family...
No matter what, from the position of King Jin, he cannot escape the emperor's liquidation blow now or in the future.
Min He thought for a while and said: "It must be kept secret. There is no harm in speaking directly."
But the King of Jin would naturally change his stance so easily.
In fact, the main reason for this defeat was that the emperor, Liu Jie and others deliberately made all the forces anxious, so that they completely sided with Li Jing, in order to achieve the purpose of "leading the snake out of the hole" and eliminating them one by one...
However, Liu Yanjing smiled and shook his head and said: "Only one person in the palace, Li Jing, can master this kind of mystery. How can you know about it? Liu Dewei also used his words to trick you. You can only say that as long as the small army reaches Chang'an, Li Jingnang will fail." Something in it.”
Liu Yanjing had a look of astonishment on his face. How come the King of Jin had not relaxed just now, but when he heard the news that could not lead to the corruption of the entire Guanzhong situation, he suddenly changed his tune?
The situation is optimistic.
If I dared to do that, I must have been unprepared for the deterioration of the situation.
He has told you everything, why do you put your treasure under them?
The earlier he invests, the smaller the risk and the lower the return. If he waits until the situation completely affects her, there will be risks at this time, but who will accept his investment?
If Liu Jie did not do it intentionally, there is only one reason. This is not to exclude dissidents, but to completely eliminate the troops who belong to the emperor's direct lineage in the army, so as to avoid those troops being at odds with each other in the future.
Liu Yanjing's eyes flickered: "No matter what the inside story is, Liu Dewei's situation is extremely worrying. He should have made plans early."
Moreover, judging from various signs, there must be no more important person who will respond to Li Jing, so that Min He and the forces attached to him can give it a go...
(End of chapter)
