Fang Xuanling entered the hall, bowed to Li Shimin, and then stood up. Li Shimin gestured for Fang Xuanling to sit down, and then quickly told him that Li Ji had been defeated in Shazhou and that his army had almost been wiped out.
In the end, Li Shimin said, "Xuanling, Li Ji has been defeated again, and this is extremely disadvantageous for us. After several consecutive defeats, the Great Tang side was on the verge of collapsing. Although we can still recruit soldiers to fight again, the people of the world will talk about it, and public opinion will be out of control. Xuanling, what should we do? "
Fang Xuanling's heart sank when she heard this.
The Tang dynasty and Du Qi's Xia of Xia had already fought several times, four times in total.
The first time, Hou Junji led an army to attack Du Qi and was defeated, and Hou Junji fell into Du Qi's hands. In the end, Li Shimin led an army to attack, but he did not fight Du Qi, but he also retreated without fighting. Although they had reached an agreement and the war did not expand, in a sense, the Tang dynasty had been defeated.
The second time, it was still Hou Junji who started the war. Hou Junji fought Du Qi again and was defeated and captured. In the end, Li Shimin mobilized an army to Guazhou, and Hou Junji was killed. In the Battle of Niulan Mountain, Li Shimin was defeated again, and even Duan Zhixuan was captured. Although Li Yuan finally came out to negotiate and the two sides stopped fighting, the Tang dynasty was still defeated.
The third time, it was Li Shimin who personally led an army to start the war. He joined forces with Goguryeo, Silla, and other countries to send an army of more than 300,000 soldiers to Yizhou's Rouyuan County, but in the end, they could not capture it. Instead, Li Jing was defeated at Mulberry Mountain, and Duan Zhixuan was killed in battle. Li Shimin led his army back to Guazhou, but they could not hold it and retreated in panic.
The fourth time, it was not Li Shimin who led the army, but Li Ji. Li Ji fought against Du Qi in Shazhou and once again suffered heavy losses. Qu Tutong died in battle, and even Liu Hongji died in the hands of Du Qi. The army of over two hundred thousand was defeated once again. Only thirty to forty thousand people were lucky enough to survive, but they also began to retreat towards Suzhou.
Four battles, one defeat after another.
Fang Xuanling felt that it was difficult for her to win again and again, but she had been defeated consecutively.
How should he fight?
How could he resist Du Qi?
Fang Xuanling fell silent. For a moment, she did not give an answer.
Li Shimin did not pursue the matter.
The two of them just sat there like that.
The atmosphere in the hall was incomparably awkward for a moment, and it was filled with a heavy and uneasy atmosphere.
After a long time, Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, it is still too early to judge the outcome of the battle with Du Qi. We still have military strength in our hands, and Suzhou is also in our hands. In addition, Longyou Road is also the western barrier of the Tang dynasty. Therefore, we don't have to worry about the safety of the Tang dynasty for the time being. "
"Speaking of the support that the Imperial Court has given Li Ji, we've already reached the maximum limit."
"If he wants soldiers, we will pay them."
"If he wants food, we will give him food."
"If he wants weapons, we will give him weapons."
"In short, we have done everything we can do now. We don't have the ability to give more. "
Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, I think the only thing the imperial court can do in the current situation is to believe in Li Ji. Believe that he can lead our people to turn the situation around. As long as we wait a little longer, there is still a chance. "
Li Shimin sighed dejectedly.
There was naturally a chance.
But the chances were quite slim.
This was what Li Shimin regretted. Li Shimin had always been a person who did not like to be passive. At present, he responded early and even took the initiative to fight back, so he had a chance to win. But if he was beaten passively, then it was impossible for Li Shimin's army to win, and even the chance of winning was quite small.
Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said, "Xuanling, is there really no way to change the current unfavorable situation?"
"No!"
Fang Xuanling shook her head.
When Li Shimin heard Li Jing's words, he was also a little worried. Even if it was not easy for Du Qi's army to succeed in the Tang Dynasty, in fact, it would definitely have a great impact on the Tang Dynasty as a whole.
Li Shimin had now stabilized the situation in the Tang Dynasty, and everywhere said that he was in charge. But in fact, the Tang Dynasty had only been established for more than ten years. In just more than ten years, once the people could no longer live, there might be a rebellion.
Li Shimin had no solution, and Fang Xuanling did not have a strategy for the time being. He said, "This is not easy. It is indeed difficult for you to come up with a solution immediately. In that case, go back and think about it. Come to the palace early tomorrow morning, and we will decide how to arrange things. "
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Fang Xuanling bowed and agreed.
He was indeed resourceful, but now he was at war with Xia Xia, who was getting stronger and stronger, but it was not easy to deal with the Tang Dynasty.
Fang Xuanling got up and left.
Li Shimin stood up and began to go to Li Yuan's harem. During this time, Li Shimin had been in and out of Li Yuan's palace frequently. Even though Li Shimin was a decisive person, he also felt that it was tricky to be the Emperor at this time.
It was particularly difficult.
The responsibility on his shoulders was too heavy.
Li Shimin arrived at the harem and saw Li Yuan, who was dozing off. Last year's cold winter was rather arduous for Li Yuan. He had a sickly appearance throughout the entire cold winter. Until now, he had recovered a little. After all, the weather was warm, and the old man had recovered some vitality. Even so, the old Li Yuan was exhausted.
Li Shimin sat down and did not disturb him.
He also stopped the chamberlain from informing him.
While waiting, Li Shimin was also thinking about how to deal with it.
It was rare for him to calm down.
Li Shimin waited quietly. After about half an hour, Li Yuan woke up slowly and saw Li Shimin. He was a little surprised and said, "Your Majesty, why are you here?"
Li Yuan's voice was a little hoarse.
He was even less confident.
After all, Li Yuan's physique was already much worse and could not compare to the past.
Li Shimin said, "Father, I just received the news from the Western Region. The more than 200,000 troops led by Li Ji have been defeated in Shazhou. Shazhou has fallen into Du Qi's control again. "
Li Yuan raised his eyebrows and showed surprise. He felt that something was wrong. Du Qi controlled Guazhou and Shazhou. Although it was only two places for the time being and did not approach the heart of the Tang Dynasty, in fact, such a situation had already posed a threat to the Tang Dynasty.
Li Yuan said in a deep voice, "How did Li Ji lose?"
Li Shimin then explained the information in the letter in detail. After he finished, Li Shimin continued, "Li Ji set up a plan to invite the Emperor into the jar, but in the end, it was Du Qi who invited the Emperor into the jar. The current situation is extremely unfavorable to us. Father, I don't know what to do. Therefore, I came to ask for help from father. "
Li Yuan stroked the beard under his chin and sighed dejectedly, "Your Majesty, in terms of war, this old man can't compare to you. It's just that compared to you, this old man knows how to be flexible. In the past, in the Great Sui, my Li family endured humiliation and acted cautiously and low-key. "
"When the Great Sui collapsed, the Li family raised troops in Taiyuan. In order to stabilize the Northern Tujue, this old man once pledged allegiance to the Tujue. You have never experienced these things. Maybe you know, but if you are not in the position, you will never understand this feeling. "
"Now, you've also experienced this feeling. The war in the Western Region is still going on. After all, Li Ji has not been completely defeated. Therefore, at present, the imperial court, in addition to supporting, can only wait and see. "
"Once you really can't resist, then you can ask Du Qi for peace. Asking for peace is not admitting defeat, and it doesn't mean admitting defeat. All the asking for peace, all the enduring humiliation, it's all for the sake of taking back one's fist at present, to be able to punch out in the future and get everything back. "
Li Yuan said, "You want to ask this old man what to do. This old man can give you an answer, that is, once the situation is not good, then ask for peace with Du Qi. In the future, when there is a chance, it won't be too late to take revenge. "
Li Shimin shook his head helplessly.
This was really helpless.
In his early years, Li Shimin joined the army to fight, although he also encountered countless difficulties. However, to truly ask for peace, especially to ask for peace with the enemy, that was even more unheard of.
But now, he had to make this preparation.
Li Yuan knew what Li Shimin was thinking in his heart, and continued, "We know that you want to be a wise ruler, and even more, you want to carry on the past and open a way to create a flourishing age. Unfortunately, the Heavens did not bless the Tang dynasty, and actually had Du Qi, this child. In all things, preparedness leads to success, and unpreparedness leads to failure. Therefore, making arrangements in advance is not a bad thing. "
Li Shimin said, "I understand."
Li Yuan nodded and said, "As for other things, this old man can't give you pointers."
Li Shimin said, "Thank you, Father Emperor, for dispelling my doubts."
"This son takes his leave!"
Li Shimin stood up and walked outside.
However, when he reached the entrance of the main hall, suddenly, Li Yuan's voice came from behind him again, "Wait a moment!"
Li Shimin turned around and said, "What other instructions does Father Emperor have?"
Li Yuan's eyebrows drooped, and he rubbed his wrinkled face, saying, "This old man feels that I don't have many good days left to live. This body is getting worse and worse, and I feel that my whole body is somewhat light and floating. Even these days, this old man often dreams of your brothers and your mother in the middle of the night. "
After a pause, Li Yuan continued, "If you want to have a decisive battle with Du Qi, then quickly have a decisive battle. If you win, this old man can die with a smile. Even if the situation is unfavorable, this old man can still help a little, go to the front line for you again, and do my last bit of effort. Therefore, it's better to do it early, while this old man's old bones can still be a little useful, don't delay the time. "
Li Shimin's heart softened at once.
His eyes were even more moist.
He did not think that Li Yuan would still say such words in a situation where his body was already so uncomfortable.
Perhaps Li Yuan did it for the Tang dynasty.
In the end, it was also for him.
Li Shimin took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Father Emperor, this son understands, this son takes his leave."
Li Yuan waved his hand.
Li Shimin turned around and left. Li Yuan sat alone in the main hall, sizing up everything in the main hall. His heart, however, felt somewhat empty. During this period of time, Li Yuan often could not read books, and also did not have the mood to write or read. He often dreamed of his former relatives, dreamed of his former subordinates, and so on.
"Sigh … troubled times!"
A sigh echoed in the main hall.
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