Ashina smiled lightly and said: "Your Majesty, you don't have to threaten our grassland. Although our grassland is weak, we also have our own backbone. If you don't agree with our conditions, we would rather die in battle than surrender to you. "
Li Ke's face became even more gloomy. He thought he could easily conquer the grassland, but he didn't expect Ashina's attitude to be so tough.
He took a deep breath and said: "Ashina, do you know where the weakness of your grassland is? Your population is too small and your resources are too few. If Datang decides to blockade your grassland, you will not be able to get enough. Food and supplies. When the time comes, what will you use to fight our army?"
A flash of panic flashed in Ashina's eyes, but she quickly calmed down.
"Then I would like to ask, what is your Highness's attitude? Do you want to fight to the point of life and death?"
Ashina didn't believe it, because he knew that raising a large army would consume a huge amount of national power.
Although they also failed at the hands of Li Shimin in their previous fights, Li Shimin would accept it as long as they had the intention of surrender.
"What will happen if we fight to the death? I want to be the emperor immediately. There are no two emperors in the country. There is an emperor within the country. It is difficult for me to take the throne now. So what can I do if I want to be the emperor outside the country first?"
Li Ke sneered and made his attitude clear: There are no two emperors in the sky, and the king cannot see the king.
Li Shimin was still alive after all, and forcing the emperor to abdicate was not something Li Ke would do.
This is why Li Ke invited himself to the border.
A trace of murderous intent flashed in Li Ke's eyes, and he said: "Since you are unwilling to submit, then don't blame me for being rude. My army of the Tang Dynasty can easily flatten your grassland."
Ashina's eyes also became determined. He took a deep breath and said, "In this case, we only have one battle on the grassland."
After saying that, he stood up suddenly, pulled out the long knife from his waist, and struck Li Ke with one blow.
Li Ke was well prepared and quickly dodged. At the same time, he drew out his long sword and faced Ashina.
The two fought for several times in the tent. Ashina was obviously no match for Li Ke and was quickly defeated.
Li Ke sneered: "Ashina, you lose."
Ashina covered the wound, looked at Li Ke coldly, and said, "Although I lost, you Datang can't win either."
Li Ke frowned and said, "What do you mean?"
Ashina said calmly: "Although your army in the Tang Dynasty is powerful, our grassland is vast and you cannot occupy our grassland at all. If you insist on attacking, then we will use guerrilla warfare to fight you to the end."
Li Ke's face became even more gloomy. He didn't expect Ashina's attitude to be so tough.
"Come here, put him in a military prison. He will be given three meals a day but no one will be allowed to communicate with him."
Seeing that Ashina was stubborn, Li Ke didn't intend to kill him. This guy was considered a weakling on the grassland. Maybe he could take advantage of this guy if he had the opportunity in the future.
The sergeant walked in from outside the camp tent, and Xu Canghai followed closely behind him. He held a military newspaper in his hand and said, "Your Highness, a letter from Chang'an."
"Um."
After hearing Xu Canghai's words, Li Ke nodded, and then said: "Send it over."
Taking the military report from Xu Canghai, Li Ke read it carefully, and his expression changed a little.
The person who wrote the letter was Wei Zheng, and it was also about Wei King Li Tai.
Li Shimin's favorite was still the King of Wei. Even if something like this happened, he still retained his title of prince. He just locked him up for ten years and killed some people around him.
"Although King Li Tai of Wei was deprived of his title, his strength was not damaged. His counselors and generals are still there, and they are still working for him. Moreover, his sphere of influence is very wide, except for his mansion in Chang'an City In addition, he also has many properties and farms in various places. These assets are enough for him to make a comeback at some point in the future."
Li Ke said thoughtfully, naturally he didn't want Li Tai to resurface. Although he is not the eldest son, his mother is the daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty. He has noble blood and is one of Li Shimin's sons who is most likely to be the heir.
If Li Tai rises again, his status will also be threatened.
He must find a way to prevent Li Tai's comeback.
He thought of one person, and that was Li Jiancheng's widow, Zheng Guanyin.
Although Zheng Guanyin is not the crown prince, she is still the prince's daughter-in-law. Her status and identity are enough to make her a force in reviving the Wei Palace.
Moreover, he had had contact with Zheng Guanyin before and knew that she was a smart, capable and ambitious woman. If she can be persuaded to join his camp, then she can be used to contain Li Tai.
"General Xu."
Xu Canghai immediately took a step forward, cupped his hands and said, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
Li Ke said calmly: "Take some people to the Prince of Wei's Mansion, find Zheng Guanyin, and ask her to come see me."
"yes."
Xu Canghai responded and immediately took the order and left.
Li Ke picked up the military newspaper in his hand again and read it carefully. He needs to know more about the situation in the Wei Palace and the trends in the court.
Although he has been sitting at the border for several months, the situation in the DPRK and China is still the focus of his attention. Because his father Li Shimin is seriously ill, and his younger brother Li Tai may become the future emperor. He must remain vigilant in case something unexpected happens.
"Report——"
The curtain of the camp was opened, and a scout ran in quickly, clasped his fists and saluted: "Your Highness, Zheng Guanyin from the Wei Palace has come to ask for an audience."
"Oh? She's already here?"
Li Ke put down the military report in his hand and frowned to think. He just mentioned it casually before, but he didn't expect Zheng Guanyin to actually come. He thought it would take some effort to get her.
"Please."
He immediately ordered, and at the same time he felt a little more hopeful. This woman has been holding back, secretly accumulating strength, and waiting for the opportunity to come. Now that the opportunity has come, can she seize it?
Zheng Guanyin walked into the camp. When he saw Li Ke, he gave a slight salute and said, "See your highness."
Li Ke nodded, motioned for her to sit down, and said, "Mrs. Zheng, do you know why I invited you here?"
Zheng Guanyin smiled and said: "I don't know who I am, so please make it clear to Your Highness."
Li Ke said in a deep voice: "Although King Li Tai of Wei was stripped of his title, his power is still there. His properties and farms in various places are still under his control, and these assets are enough for him to make a comeback at some point in the future. I would like to ask Madam to help me stop this."
Zheng Guanyin was shocked. He didn't expect Li Ke to make such a direct request. She pondered for a moment and said: "I can agree to His Highness, but I need to know His Highness's plan."
