Tang Dynasty

The next day, Li Yuan left his family and some of his officials in Taiyuan, and sent Liu Wenjing northward to contact the Turks, in the name of asking for reinforcements, but in fact to investigate their movements.And he led 3 horses, took his two sons under his knees, and under his tent all the officials, started an incident in Taiyuan and went south.

Before Liu Wenjing left, Li Jiancheng asked him to bring a letter.Liu Wenjing received it respectfully, without even reading it, she just put it in her sleeve, and said: "I will definitely hand over this letter to General Tuo Bi."

Li Jiancheng slightly raised his eyebrows and said, "You haven't read it before, how do you know that this letter is not for Shibi Khan?"

Liu Wenjing said: "Sibi Khan is old, and General Tuobi is in his prime, holding a heavy army, and I heard that he is very bold. If you change to be a minister, you should be like His Royal Highness, and be more like General Tuobi friendship."

Although he only knew one thing but didn't know the other, but in a few words, he not only understood the situation, but also explained the facts clearly and thoroughly, he really is not an ordinary person.After being amazed, Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "No wonder my father respects you so much, Jiancheng has been educated."

Liu Wenjing returned the salute lightly, and left without staying much.

----

The army rose up in July and marched all the way south to Chang'an.Because of the reputation of benevolence and virtue that was widely spread in the First World War in Hexi, most of the small towns passed by on the way surrendered and surrendered.Those who encounter resistance, due to their small strength, are not enough to pose a threat.

After marching unimpeded for several days, it suddenly started to rain lightly, and it lasted for several days without any signs of stopping.

Because he was concerned about the food and grass in the rear, Li Yuanben ordered the whole army to move more slowly.However, with the rain, the food and grass fell for a while.

At this time, an urgent report was sent from the front, saying that Wang You, the left-behind generation of the Sui Dynasty, sent Song Laosheng to lead [-] elite soldiers to garrison Huoyi. At the same time, he sent Qu Tutong to guard the east.

In the camp, Li Yuan showed the battle report to Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, and sighed: "Song Laosheng and Qu Tutong were both famous generals in the Sui Dynasty. If they are sent to handle Huoyi and Hedong, it will be another two hard battles! "

After reading the battle report, Li Jiancheng walked to the side of the hanging map and muttered: "Huoyi and Hedong are adjacent to each other. If one is in trouble, the other can be rescued in time. If you are not careful, you will easily be attacked by the enemy."

Li Shimin interjected: "To capture Huoyi, sneak attack should be the best strategy. It's too late to teach that Hedong Zong got the news."

"How can my father not know about this?" Li Yuan walked to the window and sighed. Why?"

"Father, don't worry," Li Jiancheng stepped forward, "Since this is the case, we might as well set up camp in the suburbs and wait for a few days. When the rain stops and the food and grass arrive, it will not be too late to organize the army."

Li Shimin also had the same intention, Li Yuan could only nod his head when he heard the words, expressing that he acted according to plan.However, looking at the pattering rain outside the window, I always feel that maybe the past was too unimpeded, and now all kinds of disadvantages have come together.

Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin went out together.Seeing that Li Jiancheng asked for a horse, he turned over and stepped forward. Li Shimin hurried over and asked, "Brother, where are you going?"

Li Jiancheng said: "Go to the suburbs and have a look."

Li Shimin knew that he was going to explore Huoyi's terrain, so he said, "Brother, can you let Shimin go with you?"

Li Jiancheng had already raised his whip, leaving only one sentence: "If you want to go, follow quickly."

Li Shimin was overjoyed when he heard the words, and immediately asked for a horse, and hurriedly followed.

The two drove all the way and soon came to a highland near Huoyi.Although the rain had lightened a little at this time, it still continued. Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng walked side by side, seeing that his shoulders and backs were a little wet, and he couldn't help but want to hold up an umbrella for him. .

At this time, Li Jiancheng was already on his horse and turned over.After tying the horse to an ancient tree, he walked to the edge of the cliff and stood silently for a long time.

Li Shimin also tied his horse and walked to him, but what he saw in front of them was the city of Huoyi.The flags on the top of the city are fluttering, and soldiers and horses are often seen coming and going, which shows that Song Laosheng must be ready for the battle.

Li Shimin said: "Brother, can you think of a good strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Li Jiancheng looked into the distance, shook his head calmly, and said: "The city of Huoyi is strong, and there is a large army stationed there. Even if it is a sneak attack, how can it be so easy?"

Li Shimin saw that his expression was a bit gloomy, so he immediately said: "Our army has many elite soldiers and good generals, how can we not be able to defeat him? Let me ask my father to fight, and I will surely bring back Song Laosheng's head!"

Li Jiancheng smiled lightly when he heard the words, "It would be best if Mr. Song is really willing to go out of the city to fight. I'm afraid he will rely on the city's fortification, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, but he can't hold on. My army has come from afar. It's morale, and it can't stand such consumption."

Li Shimin pondered: "Then lure the enemy to fight."

"This Song Laosheng is no better than the high-minded Confucianist back then," Li Jiancheng said with a slight sigh, "This matter... needs to be carefully discussed."

After talking, there was only silence between the two.

Li Shimin turned his face to the side, and saw the outline of Li Jiancheng's profile was very close at hand, under the cover of the rain curtain, it was so ethereal that it was unreal.And although his expression was still as calm as usual, there were faint drops of water hanging on his long eyelashes, and his hair was also a little wet, which made his whole person suddenly much softer.

After staring at it for a long time, thousands of pictures flooded Li Shimin's mind, and he was in a daze for a while.Suddenly, a question that had troubled me for a long time came to my mind, and I couldn't help opening my mouth: "Brother, can you tell Shimin why you passed out that day...?"

Li Jiancheng was just staring at the original place, full of thoughts, and didn't realize Li Shimin's gaze.Hearing this, when she turned her head in response, she met the other's eyes, eyes that were so clear and undisguised, eagerly filled with anticipation.

He was slightly startled, and then he seemed to understand Li Shimin's question.He lowered his head and smiled, stretched out his hand and patted the other person's shoulder lightly, and said, "It's just angina pectoris, it's not a serious problem."

Although, thanks to you.

Li Shimin turned his head and looked at the hand on his shoulder. The knuckles were thin and slender, but his complexion was extremely fair, so he stretched out his hand and covered it unconsciously.The back of the hand was a little wet and slightly cool. For some reason, this feeling even softened the heart in an instant.

"When did my elder brother contract such a disease, but why didn't you invite someone to treat him?" Li Shimin slightly exerted his palm, lowered his head and did not look at Li Jiancheng, his voice was a little low.

Li Jiancheng held Li Shimin's hand, looked over his shoulder at Huoyi City in the distance, and said calmly: "When I was in Hedong, I asked the doctor to see it, and said that it can only be treated with medicine for a long time, but I don't know if it can be cured. After a pause, he laughed, "It's just a minor illness, the pain will pass after a while, and it's not a serious problem."

In fact, compared with the pain of being shot through the heart by someone close to me in the previous life, this little pain is nothing.

Li Jiancheng lowered his eyes slowly and just wanted to laugh at himself, but Li Shimin's eyes seemed very poor when such an expression fell into his eyes.He held Li Jiancheng's hand slightly, and for a moment, he wished he could pull this man into his arms and hug him tightly.

Even if he is his elder brother.

However, at this moment, a small school came galloping from the original place on a horse.The horseshoe rattled, disturbing the thoughts of the two of them, and they couldn't help but follow the prestige.

The little school hurried to the front, almost fell off the horse and got up again.Kneeling down in embarrassment, he said: "His Royal Highness, Second Highness, the Duke condemned the younger one to come here, and quickly invite the two Highnesses to go back, saying that there is something important to discuss!"

Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin saw his panicked expression, he knew that something serious must have happened, so he didn't ask any more questions, he just got on his horse and galloped back with the little school.

Back in the camp, before they could change their clothes, they strode to Li Yuan's tent.I saw him standing with his back in the tent, looking at the map on the wall.

The two looked at each other, Li Jiancheng clasped his fists and said, "I don't know if my father called me and Shimin back, but what do you want?"

Li Yuan didn't look back, sighed and said, "Liu Wenjing sent an urgent report saying that the Turkic Khan had a close relationship with Liu Wuzhou in recent days, and it is suspected that there is a sign of sending troops to Taiyuan."

When Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin heard this, they were all shocked.

That Liu Wuzhou was originally the school lieutenant of Yingyang Mansion in the Sui Dynasty. He rose up in February of that year, proclaimed himself emperor in March, and occupied Mayi. He has always been attached to the Turks and had close contacts with them.At this time, Li Yuan's army went south. If he and the Turks jointly attacked Taiyuan, the consequences would be self-evident.

Li Jiancheng thought for a moment and said, "Father, are you sure this news is true?"

Li Yuan then turned around and said: "Liu Wenjing only said in his letter that he will try his best to deal with the Turks. However, no matter whether it is true or not, we should not take it lightly. Before conquering Guanzhong, Taiyuan is the unshakable rear. If Taiyuan is lost, Our army really has no way to turn back. What's more, many relatives in the army are still there, if there is one or two in Taiyuan, the army's morale will definitely be shaken."

Hearing what he said, Li Jiancheng vaguely understood what he said, and said, "Father intends to withdraw to rescue Taiyuan?" In fact, he knew very well in his heart that the situation of the army at this time is nothing more than two ways: go forward and continue south to Guanzhong, Or retreat to rescue Taiyuan.

Li Yuandao: "Just now I have called Pei Ji and others to discuss it. Most of what they said is to save Taiyuan." He sighed, "Being a father...is very embarrassing."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Li Shimin step forward and said: "Father! At this time, our army has already reached several cities. If we retreat at this time, all previous efforts will be in vain. I hope father think twice!"

Li Yuan was silent for a moment, then turned to his eldest son, "Jiancheng, what do you mean?"

Li Jiancheng said: "The meaning of building is the same as that of the people of the world."

Li Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, Li Jiancheng's attitude was obviously beyond his expectation.However, the son's words are of great importance after all, so he paused, and then said again: "Jiangcheng, tell me your reason."

"Yes." Li Jiancheng stepped forward and said, "Although Liu Wuzhou and the Turks are of the same breed, they cannot work together and must be suspicious of each other. What the Turks want is nothing more than robbing money and food. Although Taiyuan is rich, the road is far away. In comparison, Mayi, where Liu Wuzhou occupied, was also rich and illegal. Would the Turks really go far away and attack Taiyuan? This is one of them."

Li Yuan saw that he stopped deliberately, and said: "Just continue after completion."

"Secondly, regardless of whether this is true or not, it is still open to discussion. However, if we turn back halfway and are inside the army, it may cause disaster; outside the army, people may take advantage of the situation." Li Jiancheng said earnestly. "Such an internal and external enemy, even if the Turks had no intention of attacking Taiyuan, they will surely enter at this moment; and Song Laosheng and Qu Tutong in the south, how can they sit by and watch this good opportunity? In this way, we must wait You will be attacked from the stomach and back!"

Hearing this, Li Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, obviously pondering.After Li Jiancheng finished speaking, he slightly turned his gaze away, but met Li Shimin's gaze.Li Shimin looked anxious, as if he had thousands of words to say.Li Jiancheng saw it, and finally nodded to him.

Li Shimin immediately clasped his fists and said: "Father, what elder brother said is very true. What's more, our army's morale is high at this time, and the armor is sufficient, and Song Laosheng is mild-tempered, so there is nothing to be afraid of. At this time, just wait a few days. When the grain and grass arrive, and the rain stops, march forward, and the people of the world dare to guarantee with their lives that they will destroy Song Laosheng!" After saying that, he knelt down.

He said this impassionedly, Li Yuan was a little moved when he heard the words, and only nodded slightly.

Li Jiancheng knew that he had some doubts in his heart, so he looked at Li Shimin, and then stepped forward and said: "Father, as the saying goes, 'The food and grass go first before the soldiers and horses are moved'. Naturally." After a pause, "I have a plan, and I hope I can help my father share his worries?"

Li Yuan had already opened his mouth and said, "What is the plan for the completion?"

Li Jiancheng said: "There are about a dozen villages around here. My father can send someone to borrow food from the surrounding people. When the food and grass come, it can relieve the need for a while. If the building is not completed, I would like to take the initiative to take this responsibility!" The voice fell. , also knelt down straight.

Li Yuan looked at the two sons kneeling on the ground, but remained silent.

Jiancheng clasped his fists and said, "The situation in the army is like a fire, whether to advance or retreat, please father to make a quick decision!"

Li Yuan was silent for a long time, and finally heaved a long sigh, and said: "Probably because of my father, I have lost the spirit of fighting like you. In fact, what you two said is really reasonable, so my father listened to it." You... bet this time!"

When the two people below heard the words, they immediately showed joy and said, "Father is wise!"

Only then did Li Yuan's expression soften a little, and he said helplessly: "You two brothers, if you sing together, you will convince my father in a moment." After a pause, he walked over to help the two of them up, patted the shoulder , "This battle will depend entirely on the two of you!"

Li Shimin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, he was slightly taken aback when he heard this, and looked at Li Jiancheng in a blink of an eye.The other party didn't look at him, his eyes were downcast, and there was a trace of joy on his lips.

Li Shimin felt a little stunned.Just now the two came here without discussing beforehand, and in a hurry, they agreed with each other and talked to each other, and finally persuaded Li Yuan to retreat in this way.

So... can it be counted as a tacit understanding?

There is a unique tacit understanding between him and his eldest brother.