Li Shimin's face darkened.
Zhang Qucheng was also one of the top generals in the army. He was a valiant general and had a lot of influence in the army.
Now, he had submitted to Li Jiancheng.
Such a result not only made Li Shimin lose face, but also made Li Shimin very frustrated. King Qin's Residence and the Eastern Palace had been fighting for so many years. The Eastern Palace had tried to rope in Li Shimin's generals.
However, all of them had failed.
Whether it was Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin, or some other strategists, they had all been roped in by the Eastern Palace. The Eastern Palace had gained nothing. No one had submitted to the Eastern Palace.
Now, Zhang Qucheng had appeared.
Li Shimin regained his composure. Although he was indignant, he said, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Since Zhang Qucheng has chosen to submit to the Eastern Palace, let's not bother about him. If he's willing to go, that's his choice. After all, his feet are attached to his body. If he wants to leave, we can't stop him. At most, we can say a few words. "
Zhangsun Wuji said, "Your Highness, the impact of this matter is not that great."
Li Shimin said, "What do you mean?"
Zhangsun Wuji said, "The reason is simple. Zhang Qucheng's submission, especially tonight's banquet in the Eastern Palace. The Eastern Palace could have hidden the news and not publicized Zhang Qucheng. They could have kept him in the King Qin's Residence as a spy. However, in the end, news of Zhang Qucheng leaked. Clearly, the Eastern Palace did this on purpose.
"The Eastern Palace wants to spread this news.
"His intention is actually very simple."
"They want everyone in the King Qin's Residence to know that someone has submitted to the Eastern Palace. They want to let people know that submitting to the Eastern Palace will bring them great benefits. This will cause people to change their minds.
"This is the Eastern Palace's intention.
"The key is that if the King Qin's Residence cannot suppress this matter, people who will continue to submit to the Eastern Palace. If there are more people who want to betray His Highness and join the Eastern Palace, it will cause a commotion and damage His Highness's reputation in the court and even in the army. "
"This is not a small matter."
Zhangsun Wuji spoke frankly with assurance, and a wisp of worry appeared on his face.
Fang Xuanling added, "The Eastern Palace is already powerful and has the upper hand. Now, the Eastern Palace has created a momentum that is stronger than His Highness. It is very likely that the strong will become stronger and the weak will become weaker. In the end, His Highness's strength will be damaged. Right now, we have to make a response. We can't just let it happen. "
Li Shimin sighed and said, "This matter is not easy to handle. His father would be happy to see the Eastern Palace oppressing the Duke of Qin's Residence. He would even secretly push for this. Zhang Qucheng has just pledged allegiance to the Eastern Palace. If we take action, any problems with Zhang Qucheng will be pointed at King Qin's Mansion. It's King Qin's Mansion that can't tolerate this. "
Zhangsun Wuji said, "Therefore, this matter is very difficult, but we have to deal with Zhang Qucheng. It's just that when we deal with Zhang Qucheng, we can't put all the blame on the Duke of Qin's Residence. We even have to let the Eastern Palace take the blame. "
Du Qi sat at the side and listened quietly.
Although Du Qi was in charge of bad people and was mainly in charge of intelligence, when it came to such matters, Du Qi could also express his opinion. But for now, he would wait and see what Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji had to say.
The two had come all the way here.
If they knew the news first, they might already have a plan to deal with it.
Li Shimin looked at Fang Xuanling and asked, "Xuanling, you are full of wisdom. Do you have a way to deal with Zhang Qucheng?"
Fang Xuanling said, "Your Highness, the only way to deal with Zhang Qucheng is to kill him with a borrowed knife and let the Eastern Palace deal with him. Although Zhang Qucheng is a valiant general, his nature is tyrannical. "
"Especially Zhang Qucheng. He likes to visit brothels and even abuse weak women."
"In the early years, when he was attacking Yuwen Huaji and defeated him, Zhang Qucheng couldn't wait to enter the city and went to the brothel to vent his anger. He actually abused women to death."
"Because he had just taken over the city and it was his first offense, Your Highness just reprimanded Zhang Qucheng and gave him thirty beatings."
"Now that he is back in Chang 'an, under Your Highness's command, Zhang Qucheng's nature is suppressed and he doesn't dare to act rashly. But after submitting to the Eastern Palace, he will completely let go of his nature and is likely to make mistakes again. "
Fang Xuanling said, "Now I think we only need to keep an eye on Zhang Qucheng. Once we find out about him, we can arrange for people in the court to impeach him. At that time, we will see how the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace handles it. "
Li Shimin nodded and said, "Now that you mention it, I remember. After Zhang Qucheng was taught a lesson by me, he became obedient and didn't dare to do anything overboard. After so many years, Zhang Qucheng is not bad. Xuanling, if you didn't mention this, I would have almost forgotten. "
Fang Xuanling said, "Your Highness is busy, how can you remember these things?"
Zhangsun Wuji said, "Xuanling's plan is indeed good. But I'm worried that if people in the court impeach Zhang Qucheng, although the Eastern Palace will deal with it, His Majesty may think it's a fight for the throne, and His Majesty may side with the Eastern Palace. In the court, if people of the Duke of Qin openly declare war with the Eastern Palace, it may not be beneficial to us. "
Li Shimin frowned.
This was his situation.
He was constrained everywhere.
Li Yuan stood on Li Jiancheng's side. Even if Li Shimin was very influential in the military and even held the position of Minister in the court, Li Shimin also interfered in many government affairs. The problem was that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was righteous.
This was the difficult part.
Li Shimin thought for a while, then his eyes fell on Du Qi and said, "Erlang, what do you think?"
Du Qi chuckled and said, "Your Highness, after what happened to Zhang Qucheng, there is no way out. Now that things have come to this, there is no turning back. We can only go forward and take down Zhang Qucheng. "
"As for stirring up trouble in the court and causing a faction war, that is also unavoidable."
"His Majesty has always favored the Eastern Palace."
"Will His Majesty soften and no longer favor the Eastern Palace after Your Highness gives in?"
"Wrong!"
"His Majesty will not change."
Du Qi's eyes were sharp as he said seriously, "Today, the Eastern Palace instigated one of Your Highness' generals, and tomorrow, another general. In the long run, Your Highness will have no useful people by your side."
"Who would want to follow a good-for-nothing?"
"So this time, Your Highness has to take action no matter what. Moreover, if you want to punish Zhang Qucheng after he committed a crime, it will be an open and aboveboard scheme, not a conspiracy. "
"So what if His Majesty is dissatisfied?"
"We can only punish him."
"Even if His Majesty is dissatisfied with Your Highness for punishing Zhang Qucheng, he will think that the Eastern Palace was blind and didn't have a discerning eye for talent."
Du Qi continued, "Li Jiancheng's failure to protect Zhang Qucheng will also affect the Eastern Palace. This is a show of force, a show of force, and a proactive attack. Your Highness treats your subordinates well, and this is Your Highness's favor. As the king of Qin, Your Highness needs to command your subordinates with dignity. "
"The right way is to use both grace and severity."
"If your subordinates are dissatisfied with Your Highness punishing Zhang Qucheng for betraying King Qin's Residence, then they are not part of King Qin's Residence's direct line of command, nor are they of one mind."
"Even if such a person belongs to the Duke of Qin's Manor now, he'll still betray the Duke of Qin's Manor in the future if he's tempted. So my view is simple: we have to take action forcefully. "
Du Qi said, "Your Highness wants Zhang Qucheng to know the consequences of betraying King Qin's Residence, and the King of Qin's courage."
Li Shimin nodded in agreement.
However, Li Shimin didn't make a decision immediately. He asked, "Wuji, Xuanling, what do you think?"
Zhangsun Wuji thought for a while and laughed involuntarily. He said, "Your Highness, Erlang's analysis has convinced me. I agree with him. "
Fang Xuanling said, "Your Highness, I also agree."
Li Shimin nodded. "Since we agree with Erlang's analysis, we will follow Du Qi's suggestion. King Qin's Residence will deal with Zhang Qucheng and make him pay for his betrayal. "
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