Li Jiangyao suddenly came to his senses: "You've really figured out the whole thing about the struggle for imperial power. After finishing the drama between Xie Guang and King Huaiyang, now I want to bring out the trouble of the descendants of King Jin. Don't mess up the Holy Tang Dynasty. , you will never be reconciled."
Ashina shook his head and said solemnly: "General Li, I am not the instigator of these internal fights. On the contrary, they are all caused by you Shengtang people."
After that, he flicked his robe sleeves, as if chatting with an old friend for many years, and said: "When I was young, I admired the culture of the Holy Tang Dynasty very much. Whether it is the classics of your holy religion or various history books , I studied them carefully one by one. In the process, I discovered a very interesting question. The thoughts of the Holy Religion emphasize benevolence, justice, loyalty, filial piety, and magnanimity. However, in your history, there have never been many treacherous and evil people. All of them are descendants of saintly priests, rich in knowledge and knowledge. Why is this?"
In the heart of the confrontation between the two armies, Ashina Zhijin suddenly started talking about history and culture. Li Jiangyao couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly: "The greed for power and wealth should have no distinction between holy religion and non-holy religion."
"No." Ashina sneered: "People do have greed. But under the protection of the aura of the Holy Religion, those primitive desires are covered up, wrapped up, and distorted by the ultimate decoration. Therefore, There have been betrayals and subversions again and again. The brutality of these struggles is far more cruel than the bloody killings of our Turks."
"If you Shengtang people don't stir up civil strife, how can I take advantage of it?"
Li Jiangyao was silent for a moment and nodded gently: "Maybe you are right. The strongest fortress can often only be broken from the inside."
Ashina's eyes lit up: "The strongest fortress can often only be broken from the inside. Well, this sentence is really good and full of philosophy. General Li, since you have seen through all this, of course I also know that I am not being alarmist just now. Li Bing’s background is erroneous, and Li Zhanggui is from the royal family. If the two of them fight, Shengtang will inevitably fall into division again. At that time, do you still think that we Turks have no chance? "
Li Jiangyao stared at the other party closely and said word by word: "I will never give you any chance! Before the internal problems of Shengtang are completely resolved, the Turkic army must be eliminated!"
"I just want to talk to you about this issue." Ashina said calmly: "Is there any possibility of cooperation between you and me?"
Li Jiangyao couldn't help laughing and said: "What does Khan think?"
Ashina Zhijin said very sincerely: "I think it's completely okay."
"Oh? I'd like to hear the details."
"Everything still revolves around the Ghost Desert of Western Xinjiang." Ashina Zhijin looked very confident: "Your Zhenjiang Army is different from the traditional Shengtang Army. Whether it was the Zhenjiang Protectorate, Changdao The legions, the Fierce Blade Legion, and the imperial soldiers and horses in the hands of Li Bing today, they all belong to the pure blood of the Holy Tang Dynasty. As for the Zhenjiang Army, its foundation is in the vast land of Western Xinjiang. As far as I know, your subordinates At least 70% of our soldiers are from Western Xinjiang, right?"
Li Jiangyao nodded silently and did not answer.
Ashina Zhijin continued: "We all understand a simple truth. The origin of the army often represents their position and the object of allegiance. How could an army composed mainly of local children in Western Xinjiang have such thoughts in their hearts? Where is the position of the Emperor of the Holy Tang Dynasty? The person they admire and loyal to is you and only you."
"What exactly do you want to say?" Li Jiangyao asked in a deep voice.
"What I want to say is very simple, and I believe you have understood it a long time ago." Ashina smiled calmly: "In the eyes of Li Bing and the court, you are a prince who holds a heavy army and separates one side; in the eyes of the officers and soldiers of the Zhenjiang Army, Here, you are their eternal commander and the Holy King of Western Xinjiang. In this case, do you want to serve the Holy Tang faithfully? Haha, will Li Bing believe it? Will the Zhenjiang Army agree? When the imperial court makes a decision against Xijiang How will you position yourself when something goes against you?"
Ash's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Li Jiangyao's heart hard. The other party was right. If one day the imperial court really made unfair demands on Western Xinjiang, could he stay out and watch?
In that case, how could he, Li Jiangyao, be worthy of the thousands of comrades from Western Xinjiang whose bones were buried on the battlefield?
Seeing the uncertainty on Li Jiangyao's face, Ashina knew that his strategy had taken effect, so he continued to strike while the iron was hot and said: "When I read "Historical Biography" before, I saw an interesting statement , was also the first thing put forward by the Central Plains civilization, that is, "raise the bandits to respect themselves". I don't think there is any need to explain the meaning to General Li. From the perspective of Shengtang, we are bandits as long as we exist for one day. , your status cannot be shaken, even the lofty emperor must respect your opinions and obey your ideas. In this way, won't you be able to better protect the interests of the people of Western Xinjiang?"
It wasn't until this moment that Li Jiangyao truly realized the power of A Shi's strength. Not a word was mentioned about the safety and security of the Turks, but Li Jiangyao was always considered and planned, and he immediately grasped the issue that he was most worried about and gave reasons why he could not refuse.
Once the Turks are wiped out and the rebels die out, the Holy Tang Dynasty will inevitably get back on track. All military generals will once again accept the control of the court and either be promoted to high positions or be disarmed and returned to their fields. All troops will definitely be reorganized. Mobilize as needed.
At that time, even if Li Jiangyao becomes a marquis and becomes prime minister, it will no longer be possible to fundamentally protect the interests of Guimo in Xijiang.
On the contrary, if the Turks and rebels exist for a long time, then the court will have to continue to rely on these soldiers, and the power in their hands will be boundless.
After pondering for a long time, Li Jiangyao took a deep breath and said with a faint smile: "Khan, what you said is indeed very reasonable. Li has learned a lesson."
Ashina Zhijin also smiled and said: "So, is the general willing to consider cooperation?"
"No, not only will I not cooperate, I will also destroy you faster!"
Li Jiangyao straightened his spine and said loudly: "In the vast Eastern Continent, there is not only the great dynasty Shengtang. For thousands of years, when one dynasty falls, another dynasty will rise, and the fire will be passed down from generation to generation. Changes. However, no matter how we divide and combine, it is our own family's business and has nothing to do with outsiders. How to coordinate the interests of Western Xinjiang with the imperial court is also our own business, leaving the Turks alone. Khan, thank you for taking the trouble."
Ash's narrow pupils gradually shrank. While he was quite surprised, there was also an indescribable fear deep in his heart.
At this moment, Ashina Zhijin deeply felt that Li Jiangyao, sitting opposite him, was not only an invincible commander commanding hundreds of thousands of troops in Xinjiang, but also the history he had read in the books of Shengtang.
In the volumes of magnificent and soul-stirring historical records, there are indeed many treacherous ministers who disrupted the country for their own gain, but even more, there are countless people like Li Jiangyao.
Some of them are civil servants, some are generals and heroes, some are ordinary traffickers and pawns, and some are gentle and delicate women.
And all these people have the same firm belief:
Do you want to confuse me, incite me, and make me abandon my nation and my country?
wishful thinking!
Facing such a person, Ashina Zhijin suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart.
He was silent for a long time and sighed softly: "It seems that the general has made up his mind and must fight me."
Li Jiangyao stood up: "Khan, my brother Xu Youchang has captured Huazhou at this time and sent people to spread the news out of Tongguan. I believe it won't be long before the Turkic armies will rush back to Guanzhong and try their best to Reinforce and rescue the imperial capital. At that time, it will be the day of decisive battle between you and me. Please take care of it, Khan, so that you can take care of yourself."
After that, he walked out of the tent without looking back, leaving Ashina alone in the same place, slightly lost in thought.
-
The day after Li Jiangyao met with Ashina Zhijin, the main force of the Zhenjiang Army outside the city began to take action.
The first batch of 50,000 heavy armored infantry arrived at the imperial capital in three directions, completely blocking the north, west, and south sides of the city, leaving only the east road undefended.
Ashina Zhijin knew in his heart that Li Jiangyao did this on purpose.
The so-called "Besieging a city must be fortified", this is the gist of the art of war of the Shengtang people. Leaving a way for the enemy to survive is not out of good intentions, but if you want to make the other party despair, you need to give the other party hope first.
The art of mental warfare is incisively and vividly displayed.
Looking at the bare plains to the east of the imperial capital, Ashina was really hesitant.
Let's take the opportunity to withdraw. Not only will the imperial capital be handed over to Li Jiangyao in vain, but we may also be intercepted and ambushed by Xu Youchang of Huazhou on the way. But if you don't withdraw and stay in the imperial city, you can only watch Li Jiangyao calmly deploy and wait for Ronya and the others to come back and take the bait.
Although Ashina Zhijin had sent out messengers, he asked the Temple Prince and other generals to ignore him and concentrate on sweeping the vast territory of Shengtang. But he also knew that this order would probably not work, because it was impossible for the Turkic army to watch the Khan being besieged and do nothing to save him.
But when all the soldiers and horses from all walks of life rushed back to Guanzhong, the strategy he planned earlier fell short.
This Li Jiangyao is really amazing. Why didn’t I notice him this morning?
Ashina Zhijin sighed secretly and ordered his subordinates to pass on the order. This time, he changed his original thinking: Those troops who have to run back to rescue them can come back, but they are all limited to Tongguan. They will stay there for the time being. After the troops are gathered to a certain extent, I will give you an order. New instructions. Do not act without permission and blindly advance westward, lest you fall into the trap of the Xinjiang Army's encirclement and reinforcements.
