However, Li Chengqian retorted angrily: "Bah! You are just a traitor, do you deserve to be called 'Your Majesty'? Quan Wanji, you are also a veteran of my father's side. You really don't have any shame in being an angry lackey!"
Quan Wanji's expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure: "I am now a defeated general. I will kill you or cut you into pieces. I will never go back with you and become a prisoner."
Li Chengqian looked at Quan Wanji with bloodshot eyes, as if he was looking forward to death.
He knew that he was on the verge of life and death, but he would never give in easily.
But at this time, he no longer knew how to regain his dignity and his throne.
Quan Wanji didn't answer, just waved to his guards, and then four or five people stepped forward and half-pushed the prince to the horse.
Quan Wanji looked at Liu Shili who was dejected and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
The two of them once served as officials in the same court, but now they are working separately, which is very sad. Quan Wanji said with emotion: "Master Liu, I wonder if you would like to go back to Licheng with the last general to face the Holy Spirit?"
Liu Shili snorted coldly and said, "Sage face to face? I only have one saint.
General Quan, you and I don't agree with each other, so there's no need to say more. " Quan Wanji had already expected Liu Shili's attitude, so he didn't say anything more.
He turned around and said to his soldiers: "Go and pick a few strong soldiers from their team, bring two carriages, and escort Mr. Liu back to Chang'an City."
Liu Shili sneered and said: "Good fellow, are you trying to save my life and go back and report a message to the Holy One?"
"Master Liu, the general only cares about you and me as our fellow ministers. Are you willing to be loyal to that witch in Chang'an City? Oh, forget it, everyone has his own ambitions, let's go!"
Liu Shili sat alone in the carriage with a heavy heart. He recalled his past friendship with Quan Wanji, when they were colleagues in the imperial court and worked together to make suggestions for the country. However, as time goes by, their paths drift apart.
Liu Shili couldn't help but sigh: "Life is really full of helplessness!" He decided to return to Chang'an City, apologize to the Holy One, and ask for forgiveness.
Liu Shili returned to Chang'an City, his mood was very complicated.
On the one hand, he felt that he had failed the country and the Holy Emperor; on the other hand, he felt that he had failed the prince, so he just lost the battle and made the prince a prisoner of war.
Liu Shili came to the palace, knelt on the ground and asked to see Li Shimin.
After learning that the prince's army of 100,000 troops had marched into Licheng, resulting in 80,000 casualties and 20,000 prisoners, the prince and General Yuchi were detained in Licheng.
Li Shimin stood up as he slapped the case, and was so angry that he almost vomited blood. He was so frightened that all the civil and military officials hurriedly knelt down and said, "Please calm down, Your Majesty!"
"Calm down my anger? How do you want me to calm down my anger? A hundred thousand troops, with the best commander of this dynasty, went to attack a small city of Licheng, and all of them were captured? You want me to calm down my anger?"
"Send the order, and the prince will be deposed immediately. From now on, anyone who can take the initiative to kill Li Ke will be rewarded with tens of millions of rewards."
At this time, Li Shimin was overwhelmed with anger. As soon as he said that he should depose the prince, the civil and military officials in the court were so frightened that they quickly tried to dissuade him: "Your Majesty, please calm down. You must not depose the prince!"
Li Shimin's eyes widened as he looked at the civil and military officials of the court, and his heart burned with anger.
He knew that these ministers were all supporters of Li Chengqian. The reason why they did not want to see the prince be deposed was because they believed that the Wu family and the prince were still in power, so at least the foundation of the country would still be in the future.
Even if one day, Li Shimin is completely controlled by the Wu family, at least there will still be a prince who can take charge.
"Shut up, all of you!" Li Shimin roared angrily, "My son is so incompetent that he allowed all of my 100,000-strong army to be annihilated. I cannot tolerate such a loser continuing to sit in the position of the crown prince!"
All civil and military officials kowtowed and begged: "Your Majesty, please calm down. The prince is young and inexperienced. This defeat was also due to the enemy's cunning. Please give him a chance to change his ways and make him meritorious service."
Li Shimin was silent for a moment, and the anger in his heart gradually subsided. He knew that these ministers were right. Although Li Chengqian made mistakes, he could not be deposed just like that.
After all, he is his biological son and the successor he has worked so hard to cultivate.
Moreover, the crown prince's reign was also a reassurance for the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. Li Shimin suppressed the anger in his heart. He sighed and said helplessly.
"Okay, I can give you a chance." Li Shimin said slowly, "But you must give me a guarantee that no matter what, you must take back Licheng and rescue the prince and Yuchi Gong. Otherwise, I will No mercy!"
All civil and military officials kowtowed one after another and said in unison: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best to recapture Licheng and rescue the prince and general Yuchi!"
Li Shimin nodded and said: "Okay, that's settled. You all go back and prepare. This matter won't be delayed for too long."
All civil and military officials responded one after another, and then respectfully withdrew.
Li Shimin returned to his palace and began to think about how to take back Licheng and rescue Li Ke and Yuchi Gong.
Wu Meiniang heard about what happened in the court, and the outcome of this incident was within her expectation and control.
It occurred to me that the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty would definitely oppose the deposing of the crown prince. At this time, she was needed to add fuel to Li Shimin's fire.
Wu Meiniang walked into Li Shimin's palace and saw Li Shimin sitting on the dragon chair with a solemn expression.
She walked gently to Li Shimin, patted his shoulder gently, and said softly: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry too much. I believe that your Majesty will be able to handle this matter properly."
Li Shimin raised his head and looked at Wu Meiniang, a trace of gratitude flashed in his eyes.
He knew that Wu Meiniang had been silently supporting him behind his back and solving his problems.
"Meiniang, how do you think I should handle this matter?" Li Shimin asked.
Wu Meiniang smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty, you should take the opportunity to weaken Li Ke's power and let him know that the country of the Tang Dynasty is not something he can play with at will."
Li Shimin's eyes flashed with a cold light and he said: "What do you mean..."
Wu Meiniang leaned close to Li Shimin's ear and whispered: "Your Majesty, why don't you take this opportunity to promote some new forces.
These people will be more loyal to the Holy Lord and serve the Holy Lord even more wholeheartedly. I feel that with Yu Chigong's ability, he will never let the prince and the 100,000 troops be captured. "
After hearing Wu Meiniang's words, Li Shimin's eyes flashed with a ruthless look. He knew that Wu Meiniang was right, Yuchi Gong and Li Ke might have colluded long ago.
"Okay, just do as you say." Li Shimin said solemnly.
