Not long after, Li Shimin entered the Crown Prince's tent.
As soon as Li Shimin entered, he looked up and glanced at Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and Li Shentong. His eyes flashed with disgust and anger, but it was fleeting and did not show.
Looking at Li Jiancheng now, Li Shimin felt more and more that Li Jiancheng was an idiot, a Crown Prince in vain. For the Crown Prince's power, not only did he kill his fellow imperial family members, he also killed a general in the army.
In Li Shimin's view, it was natural for Li Jiancheng to deal with him. Because Li Jiancheng wanted to consolidate the Crown Prince's position, he could not let Li Shimin rise.
There were many ways to deal with him.
But he could not kill a general.
Because the Tang dynasty's rivers and mountains were won by these generals and soldiers, which was not easy.
Li Shimin took a deep breath, pressed down his inner displeasure, and saluted, "Chendi greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Li Jiancheng said, "Qin Wang is here, sit!"
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Li Shimin thanked him neither servile nor overbearing, and then sat down, looking down without speaking.
Li Jiancheng took the lead, "Qin Wang, this Crown Prince invited you here for Liu Heita's matter. Xue Wanche led the army to chase and kill the fleeing Liu Heita. "
"Who would have thought that this Liu Heita was an extremely cunning person, secretly colluding with the Turks."
"Moreover, Liu Heita let the Turks set up an ambush at Sanjiangkou, waiting for Xue Wanche to come. So that when Xue Wanche's army arrived, they were attacked from both sides. "
"Xue Wanche's army suffered heavy losses and had to withdraw in the end. Fortunately, Xue Wanche's martial arts were excellent, so he brought back 6,000 men. If it were an ordinary person, perhaps he could not bring back even one man. "
Li Jiancheng described the previous situation.
Li Shimin said neither yin nor yang, "So, Xue Wanche led the army to chase and attack. Although he failed, he also contributed. I don't know if Your Highness the Crown Prince has rewarded Xue Wanche, he is a man with both martial arts and courage! "
Li Jiancheng's cheeks twitched.
His heart was angry.
But his relationship with Li Shimin was not harmonious, especially during this time, he had been trying to weaken Li Shimin's power. so Li Shimin opened his mouth to ridicule was reasonable.
Li Jiancheng's was calm.
After all, he was the Crown Prince and held the initiative, so Li Jiancheng ignored Li Shimin's words.
Li Jiancheng changed the topic and said, "Duke of Qin, now isn't the time to discuss Xue Wanche. Instead, since Liu Heita had escaped, this calamity had always existed. As long as Liu Heita is not eliminated, the Tang dynasty will never be at peace. "
"Therefore, we must eliminate Liu Heita."
"Among the people in the army, you are the most familiar with the art of war. This prince thinks that you are the most suitable person. Therefore, this Crown Prince has decided to send you to crusade against Liu Heita. "
Li Jiancheng said, "This prince will lead the army to hold the line and follow closely behind."
Li Shimin sneered in his heart.
Li Jiancheng was really arbitrary. He didn't give any room for discussion and directly made a decision.
He was really unreasonable.
Li Shimin sighed and said, "Your Highness Crown Prince, this subject brother is also worried about the current situation in Hebei. However, after the Battle of Mingshui County, even if they took it down, they would still be unable to do so. But in fact, my forces have suffered a lot, and my combat effectiveness has declined. Attacking Liu Heita with the forces in my hands is tantamount to sending a sheep to the tiger's mouth. It's suicide. "
Li Jiancheng said, "You mean, you don't want to attack Liu Heita?"
Li Shimin said, "It's not that I don't want to attack Liu Heita, it's because I don't have enough strength. Your Highness Crown Prince, I don't have many troops under my command, not even 10,000. With such a small force, facing the Turks and tens of thousands of Liu Heita's elite troops. No matter what, I don't have enough troops! "
Li Jiancheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Shimin. He said, "What do you want? Just tell me."
Li Shimin said, "Your Highness Crown Prince, I'm alone now. It's difficult to attack Liu Heita. I need the help of Li Xiaogong, Duan Zhixuan, and Liu Hongji. The army led by these three people will be under my command and will be under my command. Only then can we have the power to fight. "
"Inappropriate!"
Li Yuanji, who was sitting below, was the first to speak.
One must know that it took a lot of effort to strip Li Shimin's counselors and generals one by one.
But now, he had to send them back.
This was absolutely inappropriate.
Hearing Li Yuanji's words, Li Shimin laughed. He looked at Li Jiancheng and said, "Your Highness Crown Prince, old fourth doesn't agree. This matter is a bit difficult to handle. How about this, let Li Xiaogong, Duan Zhixuan, Liu Hongji, and the others be under old fourth's command. Let old fourth lead the troops to attack Liu Heita. I'm willing to lead the troops to follow behind, waving the flag and shouting battle cry. "
As soon as Li Jiancheng heard this, he glared at Li Yuanji, then turned to look at Li Shimin. He said with a smile, "Qin Wang, you have more than 10,000 elite troops under your command. Zhao Junwang Li Xiaogong also has more than 10,000 elite troops under his command. Duan Zhixuan and Liu Hongji each lead 10,000 troops. The total number of troops is no less than 40,000. Do you need so many troops to pursue Liu Heita? "
Li Shimin said, "Your Highness Crown Prince, how many men is Xue Wanche leading to pursue Liu Heita?"
Li Jiancheng frowned. "30,000 men!"
Li Shimin said, "Xue Wanche is a tiger general in the army. His martial art skill is outstanding, and he's proficient in both pen and sword. Such a person can be called a famous general. Even Xue Wanche leading 30,000 men found it difficult to defeat Liu Heita, let alone me? "
After a short pause, Li Shimin continued, "I've always considered myself inferior to Xue Wanche. Therefore, I need at least 40,000 men. Of course, Your Highness Crown Prince can let Qi Wang lead the troops, or Huai 'an Junwang Li Shentong lead the troops. I have no objection. "
Hearing this, Li Jiancheng sneered inwardly.
The problem with letting Li Yuanji and Li Shentong lead the troops was that whether it was Li Xiaogong, Liu Hongji, Duan Zhixuan, or the others, they were all Li Shimin's people. Even if these people were under Li Yuanji's or Li Shentong's control, the problem was that these people might not necessarily be willing to obey. This was the most thorny part.
Of course, Li Yuanji and Li Shentong could ignore them, even let these people bury the troops. The problem was that if they were defeated, Li Yuanji and Li Shentong would be the scapegoat.
Therefore, this was not worth it.
Li Jiancheng carefully pondered for a moment. He said, "Qin Wang, this Prince will give you the men you want. But you must establish a military order. This battle must be won. If you fail, you will be dealt with according to military law. "
Li Shimin immediately fell silent.
Li Jiancheng was pressuring him step by step, targeting him again.
If he failed, Li Shimin would be dealt with again. And now that the commander-in-chief was Li Jiancheng, even if Li Shimin won, the credit would go to Li Jiancheng. This was clearly not worth it.
Li Jiancheng said, "Qin Wang, what do you say?"
Li Shimin said, "Your Highness Crown Prince, I don't dare establish a military order. On the battlefield, victory and defeat are commonplace. I don't know what the final result will be. In the current situation, I don't have the ability, so I might as well not participate. I will submit a memorial to His Majesty stating that I am not capable enough and will not participate. After this, everything will be under Your Highness Crown Prince's command. Everything will be under Your Highness Crown Prince's command. "
He would not follow Li Jiancheng.
He did not want to be led by the nose.
Therefore, he did not agree. In any case, Li Shimin was certain that Li Jiancheng would agree.
Li Jiancheng frowned.
Because Li Shimin had become so unyielding, it was very difficult for him to deal with him. If Li Shimin withdrew, then it was very likely that he would not be able to control his subordinates.
This could not be allowed.
Li Jiancheng sighed, but a smile hung on his face. "Forget it. Since you need so many men, I will give them to you. Li Xiaogong, Duan Zhixuan, and Liu Hongji's men will be under your command. "
"Thank you, Your Highness Crown Prince."
Li Shimin cupped his hands in acknowledgment, a smile on his face.
He had finally gotten some men back.
Li Shimin rose and said, "Your Highness Crown Prince, time is of the essence. I will go prepare immediately. Farewell!"
He turned and left.
Li Jiancheng sat upright in the main seat. His face was slightly ashen, and his eyes were sharp. However, if he wanted to scheme against Li Shimin and win this battle, he had no choice but to let Li Shimin fight.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
