In the main hall, the atmosphere was heavy.
For the time being, no one spoke first because it involved the West Region. Especially when Guazhou fell and Su Dingfang seemed to have submitted to Du Qi. This was news that shook the Tang dynasty.
The Tang dynasty had been established for more than ten years.
Such a situation had never happened before.
Seeing that no one spoke, Li Shimin's gaze turned and landed on Li Jing. He said in a deep voice, "Duke Wei, your relationship with Su Dingfang is not bad. Tell me, did he really submit to Du Qi?"
Li Jing was a little old, but he rarely interfered in government affairs, so his complexion was not bad. Facing Li Shimin's question, he said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I know Su Dingfang's character. He has always been loyal to Your Majesty and the Tang dynasty. It is impossible for him to betray you. I think that this news might be released by Du Qi to sow discord between us. "
"What Duke Wei said is reasonable," Li Shimin said, "Su Dingfang is a man of unquestionable loyalty. I am assured that he is in Guazhou. So the news that is spreading now is most likely fake news that Du Qi deliberately released. "
Zhangsun Wuji suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I have an idea that might be able to determine whether Su Dingfang has submitted to the enemy."
Li Shimin said, "Speak!"
Zhangsun Wuji said, "If Su Dingfang has not submitted to the enemy, then Su Dingfang's family in Chang 'an must still be there. If Su Dingfang has already submitted to the enemy, then it proves that Du Qi has already arranged it. So now, we just need to check it out. "
Li Shimin nodded and signaled to Tang Zhen.
Tang Zhen immediately went to make arrangements.
Li Shimin looked at everyone again and said, "Let's not discuss Su Dingfang's matter for now. Now that Guazhou has fallen, how should we deal with it? "
Zhangsun Wuji said, "Your Majesty, no matter what, we have to send out troops. Especially when Guazhou has fallen, we have to send out troops. The current response was to prepare for a battle with Du Qi. As for the other one, it was to seal off the news. The news of Guazhou shouldn't be spread for the time being. Even if we are going to war, it shouldn't be publicized with great fanfare. "
Li Shimin nodded and agreed with Zhangsun Wuji's analysis.
At the very least, he could delay the spread of the news.
Zhangsun Wuji continued, "Your Majesty, we even have to make preparations for a tough battle. If Du Qi intends to use Guazhou as a bridgehead to enter the Tang dynasty, then we must go all out. "
Li Shimin nodded but did not say much.
The others were silent as well.
The current news was extremely unfavorable.
As time passed, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from outside. An eunuch hurried to Tang Zhen's side and whispered something to him.
Tang Zhen waved his hand to dismiss the eunuch, then walked to Li Shimin's side and said, "Your Majesty, the house is empty. Su Dingfang's family has long disappeared. As for when he left, I don't know for now. "
"Bastard!"
Li Shimin slammed his palm on the table.
He was furious.
He did not expect such a thing to happen in the Tang dynasty, especially in the capital of Chang 'an. Especially when it was the family of an important official like Su Dingfang. Li Shimin could not believe that they had all left quietly under his nose.
When everyone saw this, they knew the result.
Li Jing sighed in his heart.
Su Dingfang was brought up by Li Jing, especially Su Dingfang, who was Li Jing's disciple. Now that something like this had happened to Su Dingfang, Li Jing felt helpless.
Li Shimin looked around at everyone and said, "Su Dingfang betrayed the Tang dynasty, opened the city gates, and defected to the enemy. He deserves to die! Wait until I lead the army to Guazhou, then I will deal with Su Dingfang. Pass down the order, the army will set out tomorrow morning to suppress Du Qi. "
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
Because the strategy of the expedition had been set before, now it was just an arrangement.
After everyone left, Li Shimin sat alone in the main hall. His expression was rather solemn, and even colder. Li Shimin had been in charge of the Tang dynasty for many years, but he had never been so angry and felt that the situation was not good.
Even last time in the Western Region, he led the army to retreat without a fight. Although Li Shimin's face was cut at that time, in fact, Li Shimin's mood was still good, just a little complicated.
Now, he was extremely angry.
Because not only did he lose Guazhou, but even Su Dingfang surrendered to Du Qi, which made Li Shimin extremely angry.
"Report!"
At this moment, another chamberlain came in.
The chamberlain was from Li Yuan's palace. After he stood still, he said, "Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor asks you to go."
"Got it."
Li Shimin replied.
At this moment, Li Yuan's intervention made Li Shimin's mood more complicated and irritated. After the chamberlain left, he sat quietly for a while before he stood up and went to Li Yuan's palace.
Li Yuan was a little older now.
His hair was as white as frost.
Even his back was hunched, but Li Yuan's spirit was still not bad. After all, in this life, the relationship between Li Yuan and Li Shimin was eased a little. Although Li Yuan did not forgive Li Shimin for killing his brother, because of Du Qi's influence, Li Yuan had less of a grudge against Li Shimin and was more concerned about him.
Li Shimin went forward and bowed, "This son greets Imperial Father."
Li Yuan said, "Emperor, sit."
Li Shimin lifted his robe and sat down, then said, "Imperial Father summoned this son, is there something?"
Li Yuan said, "I heard news from the Western Region, Guazhou fell, and Guazhou Governor Su Dingfang surrendered to the enemy, and Hou Junji was defeated and captured. The entire Guazhou is in a mess now. "
Li Shimin said, "Imperial Father is wise, Guazhou has indeed fallen, and Su Dingfang has also surrendered. It is precisely because of Su Dingfang's surrender that the situation in Guazhou in the Western Region is in a mess. "
Li Yuan's expression was cold and solemn, "I don't care about these reasons, I just want to ask you one thing, there is a problem in Guazhou right now, are you going to lead the army to go on an expedition to suppress Du Qi?"
Li Shimin said, "I have already mobilized the troops and are preparing to go on an expedition. This expedition is the same as last time, mobilizing 200,000 troops, and there will be Li Jing leading the troops. "
Li Yuan said, "Emperor, I want to accompany you."
"What?"
Li Shimin was shocked, because he did not expect Li Yuan to take the initiative to go on an expedition. It must be known that Li Yuan was already over sixty years old, his age was quite old. Following the army to go on an expedition at this time was not a good situation.
Li Yuan said again, "When it comes to Du Qi, although I am old, at least I still have some friendship with Du Qi. I want to ask him what he is thinking. Although I can't help you much, at least I can ease the atmosphere between both sides. "
After a pause, Li Yuan said again, "In addition, you arrange someone to send a letter to Du Qi, who is going to the Western Region, let him ask Du Qi what his intention is. In short, this battle has reached this point, Guazhou must not be given away. Otherwise, it will be difficult for our Tang dynasty to gain a foothold. "
After listening to Li Yuan's words, Li Shimin nodded and said, "Erchen understands Imperial Father's words. If Imperial Father wants to accompany me, then let's go together. Tomorrow morning, Imperial Father will come with Erchen. "
Li Yuan said, "Emperor, when it comes to Du Qi's matters, you must not act on impulse, you must act carefully. Du Qi, this fellow, is not easy to deal with. I will say something unpleasant, if Du Qi was born more than ten years earlier, there will be a place for Du Qi in the Central Plains. This fellow is not simple, you must be careful. "
Li Shimin said, "Erchen will bear it in mind."
Li Shimin has never underestimated Du Qi's ability, because when he was fighting for the throne with Li Jiancheng in the early years, when the two sides confronted each other, it was because of Du Qi's planning that Li Shimin was able to stabilize himself and finally win.
Li Yuan said sternly, "You are now leading the troops to Guazhou in the Western Region, so how are you going to fight this battle?"
Li Shimin said, "I don't know for the time being."
Li Yuan said, "Emperor, what I hope is that you negotiate with Du Qi and strive to take back Guazhou. As long as Du Qi is willing to hand over Guazhou, then everything can be discussed. Zhen does not want to see the two armies go to war. "
Li Shimin said, "Imperial Father's concern is that our Tang dynasty fought with Du Qi, but was defeated by Du Qi. If the news spread out, it will cause a shock to the Tang dynasty, right?"
"Yes!"
Li Yuan said, "Once such a thing happens, the result will not be good."
Li Shimin's eyes were sharp, he said, "But in Erchen's opinion, we cannot be afraid of war just because we may lose to Du Qi. The last time we fought with Du Qi, it was because we were constrained, there were many factors we did not consider. This time, however, it's different. "
"Our Tang dynasty has troops stationed at the border between Tubo and Tang dynasty. In addition, we already know about Du Qi's weapons, at least we have some understanding. Therefore, right now, we have more or less figured out Du Qi's methods, we won't be as hasty as last time. "
"This time, after all, we will have to fight a battle."
Li Shimin said, "If we can defeat Du Qi's army after this battle, Zhen will personally lead the army to attack Xia Xia's territory. Of course, if we can't defeat Du Qi's army, it won't be too late to talk about peace then. In short, this time, we must fight a battle. "
After listening, Li Yuan shook his head and sighed. However, Li Shimin was the current Emperor of the Tang dynasty. Since Li Shimin had decided, Li Yuan could not stop him. Therefore, Li Yuan said, "Forget it, do as you wish."
Li Shimin got up and said, "Erchen will take his leave!"
With that, Li Shimin got up and left.
Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin's departing back, his heart suddenly tightened. Because in Li Yuan's heart, he had always been worried that the precedent of the second Sui Dynasty dying would repeat. He did not want the same thing to happen to the Tang dynasty, so he hoped that Li Shimin would be more cautious. It's just that Li Shimin did not suffer from Tubo, Tujue, and other foreign races, but he repeatedly hit a wall with Du Qi.
Li Yuan sighed deeply.
Now, he could only take one step at a time, because at this point, even Li Yuan could not change anything. In his heart, he wanted to ask Du Qi, what was Du Qi thinking? Did he really want to be enemies with the Tang dynasty?
After all, the relationship between the two sides was still quite harmonious. At this point, if they really fought with each other, it would be disadvantageous to both sides.
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.
