Du Qi said, "Your Highness, you should be aware of the latest reports. Five days ago, Li Xiaogong led an army to attack Mingshui County. Because the county is surrounded by rivers, it was difficult for our army to cross the river. Even after crossing the river, attacking Mingshui County was still difficult. After all, the county's walls are sturdy.
"So, Li Xiaogong, Prince of Zhao, has failed."
"Four days ago, Li Jiancheng arranged for Liu Hongji to attack Mingshui County, but he also failed.
"Three days ago, Li Jiancheng arranged for Duan Zhixuan to attack Mingshui County, but he also failed.
"Two days ago, Li Jiancheng arranged for Yin Kaishan to attack Mingshui County. At that time, the Duke of Qin's men attacked Mingshui County in succession, but they failed repeatedly. Rumors spread throughout the army that the Duke of Qin's generals didn't live up to their reputation.
"Public opinion immediately surged.
"Yin Kaishan led the army in an all-out attack. In order to prove the strength of the Duke of Qin's generals, he risked his own life to attack. Yin Kaishan fought his way to the top of the city walls, but he died there in the end. His attack also came to naught.
"Just yesterday, Zhang Shigui led an army to attack the city, but he was also defeated."
Du Qi spoke frankly with assurance, "From beginning to end, those attacking Mingshui County were all generals of the Duke of Qin's residence. No one from the crown prince's faction was seen. Most importantly, the Duke of Qin's men didn't receive any reinforcements during the attack, only a small number of soldiers and horses.
"This is a constant drain on the Duke of Qin's forces.
"This has a great impact on the Duke of Qin's residence.
"Previously, the Duke of Qin's generals were the ones to appear, but it was only the generals who lost face and dignity. However, it never involved Your Highness. Judging from the crown prince's strategy, it seems that he wants to make a move against you.
"He wants to weaken your prestige."
Du Qi said in a deep voice, "An invincible Duke of Qin versus an Duke of Qin who loses every battle, and even the entire Duke of Qin's residence who loses every battle. At that time, the entire army will think that the Duke of Qin's residence isn't invincible, which will weaken your influence in the army. Li Jiancheng doesn't dare frame you, but he can use this as an excuse to weaken you. "
Li Shiming fell silent after hearing this.
He hadn't thought of this.
During this period of time, Li Shimin had been at a disadvantage, passive in every way, and did not think clearly about what was going on. Now that he heard Du Qi's words, Li Shimin suddenly understood.
That seemed to be the case.
This was the reason why he lacked a strategist by his side. Without a strategist to analyze the situation, without a strategist to come up with a plan, for Li Shimin, it had a huge impact. Even if Li Shimin was courageous and resolute, brave and fearless, but in the face of conspiracies and intrigues on the battlefield, many times, it was useless.
Therefore, Li Shimin needed strategists.
"Erlang," Li Shimin said, "If the Crown Prince is really transferring benwang to join the battle, how should we deal with it?"
Du Qi said seriously, "You can only participate in the battle. If you refuse to participate, it will be the same as giving Li Jiancheng a handle on you. Then, Li Jiancheng will be able to question Your Highness."
Li Shimin said, "But on the battlefield, just as you said, in the case of insufficient military strength, it is very likely to increase casualties, moreover, we will also be schemed against by the Crown Prince. According to your deduction, after my defeat, the next step would be for the Crown Prince to order an all-out attack, right? "
"Yes!"
Du Qi nodded his head in reply.
Li Shimin's eyes narrowed, also thinking and weighing the pros and cons.
It was not that he did not understand.
It was just that he did not understand at the moment. Now that everything was clear, Li Shimin could make a decision.
Li Shimin's eyes narrowed. A moment later he said, "If that is the case, then we can only participate in the battle. As long as benwang participates in the battle, I will definitely break Mingshui County and not let the Crown Prince's scheme succeed. "
"Qin Wang is wise," Du Qi said, "there is only one way to break the current situation, and that is to use brute force to break Mingshui County and force Liu Heita to withdraw his troops. As long as Qin Wang wins this battle, even if Li Jiancheng, as the commander-in-chief, takes the credit for killing Liu Heita, it is nothing. After all, the situation is unstoppable. It is just that fighting with Liu Heita in this battle, the losses are really too great. "
"Yes, the losses are indeed great."
Li Shimin's mood immediately fell.
Li Daoxuan died in battle.
Luo Shixin died in battle.
Yin Kaishan died in battle.
Li Daoxuan was from the imperial clan. He was not old, but he was good at war and was a member of the imperial clan under Li Shimin's command. As for Luo Shixin and Yin Kaishan, they were both brave generals under Li Shimin, but they both died here.
The losses were too great.
Du Qi consoled, "Your Highness, you don't need to be sad. Everything that happened today will be returned one by one in the future. After all, in the current situation, Li Jiancheng is the Crown Prince. He has the righteousness and the initiative, so Your Highness is helpless. What Your Highness needs to do now is not only to build up your achievements, but also to protect yourself. "
Li Shimin said, "Erlang's words are like morning bells and evening drums, enlightening me."
Du Qi said, "Your Highness is in the middle of the situation, so you can't understand. If Uncle Zhangsun and Uncle Fang were by your side, they would have already pointed out the right path for you. Speaking of which, the two of them are now under Li Jiancheng's command. Can't they return to Your Highness's side? "
"They can't return!"
Li Shimin shook his head.
He said in a low voice, "In the current situation, their movements are restricted under Li Jiancheng's command. In such a situation, they are very passive. "
Du Qi said, "It seems that if you want them to return, you have to wait until this battle is over. However, this time, Li Jiancheng has tasted the sweetness of transferring Your Highness's people away. In the future, he will definitely continue to do the same. "
"Although in Chang 'an, it is unlikely that Uncle Zhangsun and the others around you will be transferred away, but it is very likely that many generals and advisors will be transferred away to be officials, just like what happened to my father."
"In such a situation, even Your Highness will find it difficult to stop it. It will be an open and aboveboard scheme, not a crafty scheme. "
Du Qi raised the possibility of the future.
Li Shimin said, "It is indeed possible, but now we can only take one step at a time."
"Reporting!"
At this time, there was a soldier outside reporting.
The curtain of the tent was lifted, and a soldier entered and reported, "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to summon you."
"Understood."
Li Shimin waved his hand for the soldier to withdraw.
After the soldier withdrew, Li Shimin looked at Du Qi and said, "Erlang, you've guessed correctly. Just as we were speaking, the Crown Prince has already sent someone to deliver the order. "
Du Qi said, "Your Highness can go as you wish, but I ask that Your Highness keep the news of my arrival a secret. Once the Crown Prince learns of my arrival, he will target Your Highness even more. "
Li Shimin said, "This prince understands."
In truth, Li Shimin had always kept Du Qi's news a secret. He had strictly ordered the army to publicize Du Qi's news.
Li Shimin immediately stood up, changed into a new set of clothes, and left the tent for Li Jiancheng's tent. When he entered Li Jiancheng's tent, he bowed and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Li Jiancheng said with a smile, "The Duke of Qin has come. Come, sit!"
Li Shimin lifted his robes and sat down. Li Jiancheng said with a brilliant smile, "Duke of Qin, this prince called you here to discuss the matter of attacking Mingshui County."
Li Shimin said, "Please speak, Your Highness."
Li Jiancheng said, "That traitor Liu is currently entrenched in Mingshui County, and his arrogance is rampant. Everyone in the army thinks that the Duke of Qin is a god of war, invincible in every attack. That's why this prince has decided to arrange for you to dispatch troops tomorrow and attack Mingshui County. Do you have any objections? "
"No!"
Li Shimin shook his head.
He had already heard Du Qi's analysis, so he didn't find it surprising.
After all, he was mentally prepared.
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