When Li Shimin saw that everyone had arrived, he said, "We have gathered all of you here to discuss Hou Junji's expedition. We have just received news from Su Dingfang and Gao Shilian that Hou Junji led an army to Guazhou and clashed with Du Qi, who was stationed at the border. After the two sides clashed, Hou Junji was defeated and captured. "
Hua!!
Everyone's faces paled when they heard this.
They even began to discuss this matter. Hou Junji was an important official of the court, but he had been captured.
Fifty thousand elites of the Tang dynasty.
This was not a small number, but he had been defeated.
When Du Ruhui heard this, he paused for a moment, then stood up and knelt on the ground with a plop, "Your Majesty, this subject is guilty. Du Qi is this subject's son. He opposed the Imperial Court and made a mistake. Your Majesty, please punish him. "
In front of Li Shimin, Du Ruhui did not beg for mercy. Although Du Ruhui had already anticipated that this would be the outcome, he was still shocked when he saw it.
Hou Junji had not been there for long, but he had been captured by Du Qi. From this, one could see how powerful Du Qi was.
His son was not simple.
Li Shimin waved his hand. "Keming, rise. We believe in you, and we believe in the relationship between sovereign and subject."
Du Ruhui expressed his thanks. After he stood up and sat down, he said, "Your Majesty, General Hou and Du Qi fought. Are there any contradictions in this?"
Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "According to the letter submitted by Gao Shilian and Su Dingfang, Du Qi accepted our decree and allowed Gao Shilian to be the Regional Envoy of the Anxi Protectorate, but he had Gao Shilian work in Guazhou. When Hou Junji learned of this, he thought that Du Qi was a traitor, so he led an army to suppress him. In the end, he was defeated and captured. It's as simple as that. "
Du Ruhui said, "When this subject returns home, I will definitely send a letter to the Western Regions to teach that brat Du Qi a lesson. He is truly lawless."
Zhangsun Wuji said coldly, "Du Ruhui, your words sound nice. Who knows if the two of you were secretly colluding, allowing Du Qi to know Hou Junji's situation like the back of his hand, leading to Hou Junji's defeat? "
Li Chengqian's eyes narrowed as he echoed, "Prime Minister Du, you should reflect on this."
At this moment, Li Chengqian expressed his stance.
Du Qi had rebelled. Li Chengqian was overjoyed, thinking that this was the best opportunity to deal with Du Qi. Therefore, when Zhangsun Wuji spoke, Li Chengqian couldn't wait to step out.
"This subject is guilty!"
Du Ruhui knelt down once again and said, "Your Majesty, I'm Du Qi's father. Du Qi had a conflict with the Imperial Court's army in the Western Regions. I earnestly request Your Majesty's permission for this subject to resign and return home, no longer involving himself in the affairs of the Imperial Court. "
Li Shimin glared at Li Chengqian. He didn't think that Li Chengqian would still be so reckless after so many years.
Du Ruhui was an important minister.
He was the Prime Minister of the country, responsible for thousands of people's livelihood. However, at this moment, Li Chengqian directly reprimanded Du Ruhui. His words were ambiguous, and he even asked Du Ruhui to give an explanation.
How could one treat an important minister like this?
Li Shimin stood up and walked to Du Ruhui. He personally helped Du Ruhui up and said, "Keming, you and I have been friends for decades. How can I not believe you? The Crown Prince is young and impulsive. His words don't represent me. You are an important minister of the Imperial Court. How can you just leave like that? This matter can't be allowed. "
Du Ruhui bowed and said, "Your Majesty trusts this subject and values me highly. This subject is extremely grateful. However, Your Majesty, my son Du Qi is now at war with the Imperial Court. No matter what, if this subject continues to stay in the Imperial Court, it will cause criticism, and there will even be people questioning Your Majesty. Therefore, this subject must resign. During this period of time, this subject will close the door and refuse visitors, ignoring external affairs to prove myself. This subject requests Your Majesty to arrange for bad people to be stationed outside the residence to monitor the news. "
Li Shimin said, "Keming, why do you have to do this!"
Du Ruhui said, "Your Majesty, this is to prove my identity. This subject's son has committed a great crime. This subject cannot not punish him. Moreover, this action is also to prove that I, Du Ruhui, am magnanimous. This subject has followed Your Majesty for decades. This subject can swear to the heavens that I have never done anything to betray the Imperial Court, nor have I done anything to betray Your Majesty. "
Li Shimin hurriedly said, "Keming, I believe you. You don't need to care about the Crown Prince's words. "
Du Ruhui still asked to resign.
After Li Shimin urged him to stay, Du Ruhui insisted. Li Shimin did not keep Du Ruhui and allowed him to leave. However, Li Shimin did not agree to Du Ruhui's request to resign. He only let Du Ruhui go home.
Li Shimin looked at Du Ruhui's slightly bowed figure as he left. He sighed in his heart.
Du Ruhui's departure from the Imperial Court was originally his intention.
It involved Du Qi.
Du Ruhui could not express his opinion on many things, so it was best for him to simply leave.
Li Shimin was also helpless.
Li Shimin turned to Li Chengqian and scolded, "Crown Prince, you must remember your identity. You are the Crown Prince, so you must have the breadth of mind of a Crown Prince. Do not target Du Ruhui because of your own selfish desires. We understand Du Ruhui's character. He will not harm the public for selfish reasons, nor will he collude with the enemy. "
Li Chengqian's face twitched. In the end, he did not have the courage to argue with Li Shimin.
After all, Li Chengqian truly did have selfish motives. It was precisely because of Du Qi that Li Chengqian had targeted Du Ruhui and deliberately said such words, causing Du Ruhui to resign of his own accord.
But Li Chengqian did not regret it.
Li Chengqian had his own thoughts, but he said, "This son will remember Imperial Father's teachings."
Li Shimin returned to his seat and looked around at the crowd. "Now that Hou Junji has been defeated, how should we respond? After all, we cannot just ignore this matter. "
Li Chengqian said, "Imperial Father, we naturally have to send soldiers to meet the enemy. In this battle, Du Qi has wiped out fifty thousand soldiers of our Tang dynasty. If the Imperial Court does not respond, it will ultimately have a massive impact. The local officials will even have to weigh the Imperial Court's strength. Thus, no matter what, we have to send soldiers. "
"This subject agrees!"
Fang Xuanling nodded. "Your Majesty, this subject also agrees with the Crown Prince. We have to send soldiers. But Hou Junji is a veteran general with plenty of experience. How could he have been defeated so easily? "
Li Shimin explained the details of the battle, including the gunpowder, landmines, and grenades. Although Li Shimin did not know what kind of weapons they were, there was no doubt that they had played a major role.
After Li Shimin finished, Fang Xuanling fell silent.
Fang Xuanling said, "When Du Qi was in the Tang dynasty, there was no sign of him researching weapons. It hasn't been long since he arrived in the Western Regions, but he managed to develop such powerful weapons in such a short time. This matter will affect us, but even so, this subject believes that we should send soldiers. Once we reach the border, we will meet with Du Qi and discuss other matters. "
After a pause, Fang Xuanling continued, "When it comes to the matter of sending soldiers, this subject suggests that Duke Wei lead the troops."
Li Jing was currently Duke Wei's nobility.
As for his official position, Li Jing had already resigned with the excuse of being unwell. Li Jing knew the principle of overflowing water. He only had a nobility title, and under this premise, the Emperor valued him more.
Li Shimin nodded. "Xuanling is right. We will follow Xuanling's arrangements. This battle will be led by Li Jing, and I will personally lead the troops to Guazhou. I would like to see what this Erlang is up to. "
After a pause, Li Shimin continued, "When this subject is not in Chang 'an, the Crown Prince will be the regent, and Fang Xuanling will assist him."
"This subject obeys the decree!"
Li Chengqian was excited after receiving the order.
This was an opportunity.
If he was the regent, it meant that there was a lot of room for maneuvering.
Fang Xuanling also immediately agreed.
Li Shimin made many arrangements for the deployment of soldiers. The food, weapons, and soldiers were all arranged. Overall, Li Jing was in charge of the deployment. After all, besides Li Jing, there were also many generals and strategists in the army who would be going to war.
After everything was arranged, Li Shimin waved his hand and dismissed everyone. After the civil officials and generals left, a chamberlain came in and whispered something to Tang Zhen.
Tang Zhen said, "Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor invites you."
Li Shimin nodded, got up, and left the palace. He went straight to the palace where Li Yuan was.
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