At dawn the next day, Yang Gao summoned Zhan Zhao, who was now in charge of the palace guards, and asked: "Zhan Aiqing, I heard that you have a man named Dai Zong who has extraordinary footwork, even better than others. The horses can run even faster.”
Zhan Zhao hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty is wise, I do have such a person under my command, his speed is amazing, even I am ashamed!"
"That's great!" Yang Gao pretended to be surprised, "Someone recommended to me Yue Fei and Yue Pengju, a general during my father's reign. He was said to be a man of civilized and military skills, skilled in bow and horse, but he was dismissed from office because he offended the traitor Yu Wenshu. Now I am farming in my hometown in Tangyin. I have written a letter, so your subordinate Dai Zong will deliver this letter for me. When the work is completed, I will be richly rewarded!"
"Wei Chen obeys the order!"
Dai Zong, who was originally just a small palace guard, was overjoyed when he heard that the emperor personally asked him to do something. Without saying a word, he took the letter and immediately set off to Tangyin to look for Yue Fei.
. . . . . . . . . .
Chang'an City, Daxing Hall. Li Yuan, who had just ascended the throne for two years, fell ill. He was knocked down by a series of blows.
The Sui army in the south was defeated in a battle, and Prince Li Jiancheng was captured.
In the north, Liu Wu and Zhou general Zhao Kuangyin launched a surprise attack on Taiyuan City. The third son Yuanji fled to Queshu Valley in a hurry with more than 10,000 remaining soldiers, and the entire northern part of Bingzhou fell.
At the same time, news of defeat also came from the west, because the second son Shimin unfortunately contracted malaria. Chai Shao and Liu Wenjing, who temporarily led the army, fell into Xue Ju's trick of luring the enemy and returned with a heavy defeat, losing their troops and horses. More than 20,000 generals, Liu Hongji, were captured, and Murong Luohu and Li Anyuan died in battle.
Li Yuan was already in his fifties, and the prospect of defeat on three sides caused him severe physical and mental damage.
Lying on the hospital bed, a heavy sense of worry hit him. After occupying Guanzhong and ascending the throne as emperor, he thought that dominating the world was within easy reach. Today's three-sided defeat is undoubtedly a blow to him, making him understand that occupying Guanzhong is only the simplest step in his imperial career, and there is still a long way to go.
"Your Majesty, His Highness King Qin is outside asking for an audience!"
A eunuch guarding Li Yuan's bed said cautiously.
Li Yuan opened his eyes, glanced at the eunuch waiting next to him, then slowly closed them again, and said slightly tiredly: "Let him come in!"
"Yes!" The eunuch bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew.
After a while, Li Shimin entered Li Yuan's bedroom under the guidance of this eunuch, knelt down on the ground, and kowtowed three times respectfully, "My son, I see my father, and I wish my father long life and eternal peace!"
Li Yuan turned to look at his second son and saw that his face was pale and bloodless, and his body could not help but tremble. It was obvious that he had not recovered from a serious illness. I couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion in my heart. My son was so ill. Hearing that the country was in trouble, he still came to me to discuss matters regardless of his illness. Thinking about the eldest son again, I felt a burst of anger in my heart. A surprise attack on Jingxiang and the entire army was wiped out, but he was also captured. The capture of the dignified prince was such a serious blow to the newly built Tang Empire.
Li Yuan coughed twice and said, "Your Majesty must have known about the current situation in the Tang Dynasty. What do you think?"
Li Shimin took a deep breath and said: "Father, I think that although our Tang Dynasty is surrounded by enemies on all sides and reports of defeat are frequent, I think the situation has not deteriorated to a very serious level. We have strong enemies on three sides." A strategy to defend against the enemy!"
Li Yuan was overjoyed when he heard this, and suddenly stood up and said quickly: "Your Majesty, if you have any clever ideas, tell me quickly!"
Seeing Li Yuan's appearance, Li Shimin secretly thought that his father was indeed heartbroken, and hurriedly said: "Father, I think that although our Tang Dynasty is surrounded by enemies on three sides, the foundation in the northern part of Liu Wu and Zhou Xin's Bingzhou is unstable, and there are also birds and mice. The valley is so dangerous that Liu Wuzhou will not dare to move in a short period of time, but..."
"Just what?" Li Yuan asked immediately when he saw Li Shimin's expression of confusion.
Li Shimin gritted his teeth and said: "Father, it is not because I deliberately belittled my third brother. Yuan Ji's character is too impulsive, and it is really not suitable to continue to be in charge of Bingzhou. I suggest that my father send someone else to Bingzhou!"
Li Yuan's face darkened when he heard this, and then he felt relieved. He knew his son better than his father. What Li Shimin said was indeed correct. Li Yuanji was impulsive and brave. Originally, he did not take Liu Wuzhou seriously. In addition, Taiyuan Jiancheng One, that's why Li Yuanji was asked to take charge, but at the moment Li Yuanji is indeed not suitable to take charge of Bingzhou.
After thinking about this, Li Yuan put away his expression and said with a smile: "Shimin, you are worrying too much. I also know Yuanji's ability. You are right, then who do you think should be in charge of Bingzhou?"
Li Shimin was overjoyed and immediately held up his hands and said: "My son thought that uncle Li Keyong was cautious in his military use. His son Li Cunxu, adopted sons Li Siyuan and Li Cunshen were all skilled in bow and horse. With him in charge, Bingzhou could be protected." Yu!"
"Brother Ke Yong, okay, I will use him to be in charge of Bingzhou!" Li Yuan's personal employment principle is to use people from the Li clan to lead the army. As long as Li Shimin does not cross this rule, he can mostly accept it. In addition, Li Keyong's military strategy He has indeed heard about it and is a talented person.
Li Shimin calmed down and continued: "My son thought that Xue Ju of the Western Qin was arrogant, and his two sons, Xue Rengao and Xue Renyue, were fighting among themselves. Although our army was temporarily defeated in the battle of Qianshuiyuan, the land of the Western Qin It is barren and cannot support a long-term war. I boldly ask for orders to let my son take command and go out to fight Xue Ju again."
Li Yuan stroked his beard and said in a deep voice: "Shimin, you are my most outstanding son, and I also believe that you can defeat Xue Ju, but don't forget, there is still Yang Gao'er in the south who is watching covetously. Will he let us live in peace? Once If there is a change in the rear, how can Xue Ju be destroyed?"
Li Shimin shook his head and said: "Father, I think that although Yang Gao wishes to destroy our Tang Dynasty in one fell swoop, he will never march into Guanzhong!"
Li Yuan glanced at Li Shimin in confusion, "Why?"
Li Shimin said: "Yang Gao is different from Liu Wuzhou, Xue Ju and other bandits. He is very politically savvy. He knows that Guanzhong is not fat but a quagmire for him. The Guanlong nobles hate the Sui Dynasty. Even if he takes Guanzhong, Don't think about stabilizing Guanzhong for three to five years. He understands this very well, otherwise he would have been able to enter Guanzhong when he captured Nanyang!"
Li Yuan nodded, and then said worriedly: "Then will he choose to march into Bashu?"
Li Shimin continued to shake his head, "I think Yang Gao is very ambitious. Bashu is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Xiaogong is also well versed in the art of war. He can't even think of taking over Bashu in three to five years. Within three to five years, the situation in the north will probably be decided. , Yang Gao can only separate the south at best. This is definitely not what Yang Gao wants, so his next target must be Li Mi in the Central Plains."
