Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 217 I'm determined to take Li Jing. Even my father can't take him away. I said

"His Majesty."

Cen Wenben walked up to the big tent and greeted Li Shimin slowly.

When he returned from the Shiwei tribe in the Great Xianbei Mountains, he did not go south back to the capital, but instead deliberately took a detour to the west and went directly to the Dingxiang camp.

The purpose was to convey the news of the alliance with Shiwei as soon as possible.

"When you are on a military expedition, you don't need to be polite."

Li Shimin stroked his mustache and said:
"Minister Cen, did you gain anything during your mission to the Great Xianbei Mountains?"

Cen Wenben saluted without hesitation and said:

"I have fulfilled my mission and have agreed with Moheduo of the Shiwei tribe on the time to dispatch troops."

Li Shimin's brows gradually relaxed.

"The Shiwei people had long been enemies of the Tiele and Turks, but since the Sui Dynasty they have been dependent on the Central Plains, paying tribute constantly and serving our dynasty with great respect.

"With his help, we are like a tiger with wings."

Leading the Imperial Army to sweep the Hu people's hometown is a common practice of the Tang Dynasty's heavenly soldiers, and no one thinks there is anything wrong with it.

"Jun Ji, where did the scouts chase us this time?"

Hou Junji unfolded the map in front of His Majesty and drew a circle in the northwest of Dingxiang.

"After last night's night raid, our scouts tracked the area and found a small group of Tiele tribe thirty miles northwest."

The Tiele people are the main ethnic group of the Xueyantuo Khanate.

Li Shimin: "Is it a tribe or an army?"

Hou Junji: "It is a tribe. We found herds of cattle and sheep and tents. Women, children and the elderly also live among them."

"The Tiele people are really generous, as they allow their livestock to be grazed right under their noses."

Li Shimin stroked his beard and glanced at Ashina Simo.

Brother Simo lowered his head subconsciously and stammered:
“Shame…Shame on me.”

Lao Li withdrew his gaze and returned his attention to the map in front of him.

Including the circle drawn by Hou Junji just now, there are a total of fifteen circles on this map.

It just happens to be the number of large-scale night raids during this period.

After each night attack, the Tang army would send out scouts to quietly follow behind and pursue the main force of the Tiele people.

This is the strategy of the Tang army.

After Qibi Heli, who was gathering intelligence, lost contact, and Simo Turkic's intelligence was extremely unreliable.

Li Shimin naturally would not "wait and rely on others", but would take the initiative to send people to investigate.

Nomads are a combination of soldiers and civilians, and by following the soldiers you can always catch the trace of their tribe.

And obviously, Xueyantuo Zhenzhu Khan had also anticipated the Tang army's strategy in advance.

Therefore, each sneak attack was launched by marginal tribes within the Khanate, and the core tribes would not easily reveal their whereabouts.

At the expense of these small marginal tribes that were dependent on the Khanate, the main force and morale of the Tang army were consumed.

"You're not coming out, are you? I'll always find a way to get you out."

Li Shimin stared at the map.

The fifteen marked small tribes appeared in places where the farthest one reached the north of Yinshan Mountain and the closest one was dozens of miles outside Dingxiang City, forming a circle around the foothills of Yinshan Mountain.

And in order to drive and even force the small tribe to launch a board charge against the Tang army, it is obvious that there must have been "own people" of the Xueyantuo nearby to supervise the battle.

That is to say-

"The main force of the Xueyantuo led by Yi Nan is probably hiding in the Yinshan area.

"I know their plan..."

Li Shimin curled the corner of his mouth.

"Through constant harassment, we can lure our troops into pursuit. If the pursuers are a detachment of our army, the Yi Nan will attack from Yinshan Mountain and surround and kill the pursuers.

"If the pursuers are our main force, then Yi Nan's main force can cut off the source of our troubles, attack the empty Dingxiang City, and cut off our retreat?"

Li Shimin guessed the enemy's intentions and curled the corners of his mouth.

"What a good plan. They don't have to wait any longer. We'll deliver it to their doorstep!"

He immediately made corresponding arrangements:
"The Simo Turks put on Tang army armor and pursued the night raiders, creating more momentum and luring the Yi men to attack.

"Our troops are lying in ambush on the south side of Yinshan Mountain. If the enemy's main force makes any move, we will immediately surround and annihilate them. If they do not move, we will go straight to Yinshan Mountain and search for their main force.

"The Shiwei tribe will support from the east and block their escape route to the eastern desert."

In the vast prairie, it is meaningless to occupy land inch by inch.

The key is to consume the manpower of the nomadic tribes and make them unable to invade southwards.

"how?"

Li Shiji asked:

"What if the Xueyantuo main force is not in the Yinshan area?"

"Then we should use their own tricks against us. We should build a fortress in Yinshan Mountain, leave thousands of troops to block the passage between the north and south of the desert, and let the Xueyantuo endure the northwest wind in the north of the desert for a whole winter.

"If he dares to attack, we will attack from Dingxiang City and kill him."

Li Shimin said in a muffled voice:

"The Tang Dynasty can still afford to support several thousand people to spend the winter in Yinshan. But do the Tiele people have the ability to allow the entire Khanate to spend the winter north of Yinshan?"

In large-scale military operations, there are no conspiracies or tricks, only open strategies.

Either we must eliminate the enemy's main force in one battle, or drag it out for a winter and let God take care of the enemy's main force for the Tang Dynasty.

Yes, the goal of this Northern Expedition is to destroy the main force of the Xueyantuo.

Rather than destroying the entire Tiele tribe.

Let’s not talk about whether all the Tiele people can be killed.

Even if the Tang Dynasty really had the ability to sweep the land and destroy the people, it couldn't do it.

A part of the Tiele people had to be retained to contain the Simo Turks from the north.

The rise of the Simo Turks is not in the interests of the Tang Dynasty.

Don't be fooled by Ashina Simo's flattering look now.

By the time the power of this group of Turks expanded to the northern desert, connected with the Western Regions, and even communicated with the Western Turks.

Who knows whether they will turn around and head south.

"Is this okay?" Li Shimin asked his subordinates domineeringly.

No one had any more objections.

Yinshan is the key point of the whole chess game.

If we take over Yinshan, the initiative will be in my hands.

"Since this is the case, everyone will obey orders."

Li Shimin began to make arrangements:
"Li Shiji, you lead the main force from north to south and directly attack the heart of Yinshan Mountain.

"Hou Junji, Xue Wanche, each of you lead an army and attack from both wings.

"Ashina Simo, your army is responsible for the pursuit. Make a loud noise and lure out the Tiele people."

Everyone obeyed:
"According to the order!"

"Minister Cen." Li Shimin turned to Cen Wenben and said:

"You should tell this information to Shiwei Moheduo and have him attack from the east."

Cen Wenben bowed:

"You will not disgrace your command."

Huh... Li Shimin let out a long sigh.

The days of passive beatings were not in vain.

After figuring out the strategic intentions of the Tiele people, the whole war began to take shape.

Finally, there was progress. Li Shimin finally felt relieved and had the energy to think about other issues:
"I wonder how Li Ming is doing as the prisoner of state in Chang'an. I hope he doesn't lose his family..."

he murmured.

…………

The Duke of Wei’s Mansion.

The ordinary old butler bought some fresh vegetables from outside, greeted the yamen runners who were patrolling nearby to "maintain law and order" in a friendly manner, and then swaggered into the mansion.

As soon as the old butler entered the room, he handed the basket of vegetables to his personal servant, took off his clothes, and turned into another ordinary-looking old man.

Li Jing.

"Alas, His Majesty really can't let go of an old man like me. Even when he is away on a campaign, he still remembers to send people to care for me."

Li Jing went back to the house, tapping his back and saying this in self-mockery.

The old lady in the room, Zhang Chuchen, comforted her:
"This is also your majesty's recognition of my talent."

"I would rather not have this talent, which has caused me to be imprisoned in a cage and feel uncomfortable everywhere." Li Jing sat down on the cushion, his tone full of complaints.

With Li Shimin around, he could neither make nor want to make any military achievements.

All he wishes now is to break free from the shackles, roam the world, and conquer a piece of land where he can live freely.

Even if I die on the battlefield, it is much better than suffocating here.

"My dear, what did Xiao Daoguang say?" Zhang Chuchen's eyes were sparkling.

Li Jing pulled out a piece of paper from his arms.

This was the latest information he got from the contact person pretending to be a vegetable vendor when he was buying vegetables in the disguise of an old housekeeper.

Li Jing knew that all the servants in the mansion were under strict surveillance.

So I didn't dare to make any big moves and could only watch from the sidelines.

"His five hundred soldiers have been trained almost completely in the suburbs of Beijing and are ready to go to war at any time."

Li Jing nodded and responded to the old woman who had been with him all his life.

Five hundred soldiers are still in the suburbs of Beijing.

Only Li Jing, a man of great skill and courage, could hide a weapon capable of killing five hundred people under the emperor's nose.

Zhang Chuchen looked at the old man's solemn expression and was a little surprised:
"My dear, do you seem to be reluctant to leave the capital?"

Li Jing's eyes were a little dazed:
"The atmosphere in the capital is changing with each passing day, and it is even more prosperous than before the war.

"And the inexplicable cash shortage last time was also quickly resolved by him..."

Zhang Chuchen said nothing and stayed quietly beside her husband.

"That little prince... will be a good emperor, better than his father. Although the current saint is also a good emperor..."

Li Jing was filled with emotion and sighed deeply:

"Unfortunately, I am destined to have no chance to participate in this flourishing empire."

"Do you hate His Majesty?" Zhang Chuchen asked quietly.

Li Jing shook his head without hesitation:
"With my talents, if I don't become a king, I will become a bandit. I am born to be feared by the monarch.

"Your Majesty is so kind that I am still alive in his hands. If it were Xiao Xin, my clan would have been exterminated countless times."

The elderly couple looked at each other in silence.

After a long time, the servant came to report:
"Duke, there are guests coming to visit."

Li Jing raised his eyebrows:
"who is it?"

"The other party did not report the death, saying that he was your acquaintance, a young man."

Young Master? Young Master...

Li Jing almost fell off his seat.

"That's His Royal Highness the Regent, the future Majesty!
"Hurry up and come in, hurry up and come in!

"Chuchen, hide in the inner room immediately! Quick, make the bed for me!"

After a lot of noise, Li Ming, under the guidance of the servants of the Duke's Mansion, walked into the room and saw Li Jing lying on the sickbed.

"I am... seriously ill and unable to meet Your Highness. Please... forgive me."

Old Li was lying on his sickbed, talking with his last breath, looking extremely miserable.

"Mr. Li Wei, please have a good rest. I am sorry for disturbing you so abruptly."

Li Ming sat beside the bed, saying polite things while his eyes moved between the other's chubby but not shriveled cheeks and the temples that were flushed and slightly sweaty under the quilt.

"Ahem!" Li Jing also noticed the gaze of His Royal Highness the Regent, and said weakly:

"The doctor said that I was seriously ill and was sweating and swollen."

Li Ming looked at the old man's shining eyes and sighed:
"Alas... When I saw you last year, you were still in good health. Why are you so..."

"I'm old, and my health might fail all of a sudden." Li Jing shook his head weakly:
"Maybe one day I will die..."

Li Ming said politely: "Why do you say that, old general? I will let the imperial physician of Shang Pharmacy treat you..."

"Cough, cough, cough! No need, no need." Li Jing started coughing violently.
"I dare not trouble your highness. I am also old and I dare not go against the will of heaven."

The two sides continued to exchange pleasantries, and Li Ming got straight to the point:
"The general and Li Qianyou, the governor of Chang'an, have a very close relationship."

As expected, His Highness Li Ming was going to take action against Li Qianyou... Li Jing had a premonition about this.

He had wanted to kill Li Qianyou for a long time.

However, because that guy had a hold on his weak spot, if he died, his children and family would be made public. He would force Li Jing to board his pirate ship, and all would suffer if he died.

There's no other way, I can only grit my teeth and protect him.

"Yes, Qianyou is my...most beloved cousin." Li Jing clenched his teeth and uttered these insincere words.

Li Ming looked at Li Jing's unwilling eyes and said bluntly:
"I suspect that Li Qianyou intends to rebel and kill the king."

"Oh."

Li Jing changed his words smoothly:

"But he doesn't appreciate it and never takes the initiative to visit me. Our brotherly feelings have long faded. I know nothing about his current situation."

Li Jing didn't know whether Li Qianyou was really planning a rebellion.

But since His Royal Highness the Regent was willing to use this big hat to put him to death, Li Jing had no reason to stop him.

However, with Li Qianyou’s head falling to the ground, Li Jing’s dark history will also be exposed.

Fortunately, Xiao Daoguang was almost ready.

There is no other way. I have to fake my death and leave Chang'an as soon as possible.

"Oh, that's good." Li Ming nodded.

Since he was going to touch someone's cousin, Li Ming had to come and say hello in person out of respect for the elder.

After confirming that Li Weigong himself wished Li Qianyou's death, he no longer had any concerns.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then Li Ming left.

"I am ill and cannot see you off. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Li Jing pretended to get up, but was persuaded by Li Ming.

"No need, please take care of yourself, old general."

Accompanied by his servants, Li Ming left the Duke's Mansion.

Li Jing immediately jumped out of the bed and greeted:
"Chuchen, pack up and get ready to leave!"

Li Qianyou’s bomb is finally about to explode.

Fortunately, I was able to delay until I was basically ready and His Majesty was not at home.

Li Jing is preparing to die suddenly tonight, escape tomorrow, and lead his private soldiers to flee Chang'an the day after tomorrow!

At this time, the servant came back, his face pale.

"What's wrong with you?" Li Jing asked curiously.

The servant trembled and said:
"Then... that little prince asked me to bring you a message...

"He said... does your servant need ointment to wipe the armor? If you need it, you can come to the palace to get it."

Li Jing fell to his knees on the ground as if struck by lightning.

"Good man!"

Zhang Chuchen hugged him anxiously:
"What's wrong with you? What happened?!"

Li Jing's face was pale, and his lips moved slightly:

"Go, go quickly..."

"how about you!"

"I'm afraid... I can't leave..."

…………

"Your Highness, is this okay?"

Outside the Duke of Weiguo's mansion, Fang Xuanling looked worried.

Li Ming shrugged indifferently:

"That thief old man is just pretending to be sick. He is not really sick. You can't scare him to death."

"No, what I mean is...

Fang Xuanling put it more clearly:

"Duke Li Wei privately stored armor and raised private soldiers in important areas around the capital.

"Just leave him like this?"

How could Li Jing's little trick escape the eyes of Li Ming and the Suppression of Counterrevolutionaries Committee?

Old Li was pretending to buy groceries, but he was discovered by the children who were following him.

And how could the specific "vegetable vendor" that Lao Li must visit every few days escape their eyes?

After a major memory restoration operation, the "vegetable vendor" confessed everything.

It turned out that he was the son of Xiao Xin and a subordinate of Xiao Daoguang.

Xiao Xin was a warlord who occupied the south when the Li Tang family founded the country. He was later defeated by Li Jing and Li Xiaogong.

Because Li Jing hesitated during the campaign against Xiao Xian, Li Yuan suspected that Li Jing was colluding with the enemy and he was almost beheaded.

Facts have proved that although His Majesty the Emperor is not as capable as his son, he is still capable and he was not wrong.

Li Jing really colluded with Xiao Xin secretly.

Although Xiao Xin was eventually killed by the Li family, Li Jing did not sever his relationship with Xiao Xin's descendants.

They remained dormant until today, when Li Jing and Xiao Daoguang cooperated and secretly gathered a team of 500 people.

It was not an ordinary team, but an armored cavalry.

Moreover, their hiding place was actually around the capital.

If you're not careful, something could really go wrong.

"Your Highness, aren't you afraid that Li Jing will rebel?" Fang Xuanling asked worriedly.

Li Ming's expression remained unchanged, and he shook his head indifferently:

"Li Jing won't rebel."

Li Ming was very familiar with the psychological state of this fat veteran.

It means "You should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others."

Most patients suffering from paranoia have such symptoms.

He was always on guard against people trying to harm him and always left himself a way out, which resulted in an overreaction.

"If he really wants to rebel, he has plenty of opportunities.

"The incident at Jiucheng Palace, when His Majesty first went out to fight, and even when he suddenly attacked and killed me just now, weren't they all opportunities?"

Li Ming said frankly.

Besides——

There is another reason.

He didn't want to explain this reason too clearly even to Fang Xuanling for the time being.

Moreover, an elite force of 500 men is now weak in Chang'an.

But it’s definitely not a small amount!
What if, he meant, what if...

What if something really happened on the northern battlefield?

This led to chaos in the mainland.

Then, this unplanned armed force may play an unexpected role.

"Your Highness, if you say so, it's fine."

After more than a year of experience, Lao Fang has passed the stage of doubting Li Ming and entered the stage of "Your Highness must have his reasons for doing this", and he no longer asks about the treatment of Li Jing.

He turned the conversation to a more serious and pressing question:
"Then Your Highness, what are you really going to do next...?
“Do you really want to punish Li Qianyou?

"You can't touch that guy without permission. This is the order of His Majesty. If you touch him, you are disobeying the order."

Li Ming curled his lips and said:
"I am just following the law and conducting political affairs in Chang'an legally and in compliance with regulations.

"Does ruling the country by law violate your majesty's decree? Do you want to say that your majesty broke the law knowingly?"

Fang Xuanling was not satisfied with Li Ming's lip service.

"Your Highness, you know His Majesty's intention.

"Your way of dealing with Li Weigong seems to be very different from your majesty's thinking?"

To put it bluntly, you have disobeyed your father, the emperor.

One wants to be on guard against Li Jing, and the other wants to let him go. Isn't that disobedience?
If it were an ordinary person, His Majesty would probably just laugh it off.

But this is Li Jing.

Li Jing, who has the talent to destroy a country!

"Next, a living Li Jing may be more useful to me than a dead Li Jing..." Li Ming murmured.

Then, he felt a pair of shocked gazes.

It's from the old house.

"You want to ask, how do I know that His Majesty asked you to kill Li Jing? His Majesty clearly asked you to keep it a secret from me, right?"

Li Ming smiled at him.

Fang Xuanling nodded stiffly.

"Don't I know better than you what kind of person my father is?"

Li Ming smiled calmly and said:

"He can be tolerant without limits to those who are useful to his country.

"On the contrary, as long as there is a threat, whether it is my father, brother, or subordinate, I will not spare him."

Fang Xuanling's throat was a little dry:

"Your Highness, do you want to say that you are different from him?"

"No, I'm exactly like him."

Li Ming said slowly.

“It’s just that my definition of a useful person is slightly different from his.

"I think Li Jing is quite useful. I want to use him. Father-in-law, please help me."

Fang Xuanling nodded stiffly.

He suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Obviously, His Highness has always been very nice to him...

Is this what they mean by, serving the king is like serving a tiger?

(End of this chapter)