Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 420 Can I Kill Li Shimin? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Pass down the order! Return to the capital in triumph! And do it quickly!"

When Li Shimin shouted these words, his voice was almost hoarse.

He urgently needed to go back and verify his conjecture; he couldn't care less about anything else.

However, before he could finish speaking, Changsun Wuji quickly stopped him: "Your Majesty, please wait!"

"What do you want to say again?"

Li Shimin swept a cold glance over him, and said impatiently, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! Are you trying to inform that rebellious son?! So you can be wary of me?!"

"Your Majesty has misunderstood!"

Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly, then carefully said, "Your Majesty! The weapons and provisions of the returning troops need to be inventoried, and the soldiers of each camp must be assembled in an orderly manner. If it is too hasty, there may be unforeseen circumstances."

"How about we first issue a secret order, instructing the generals to prepare in secret, while outwardly proceeding with the original plan and appearing calm, and then accelerating the march after nightfall? What do you think?"

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, his eyes bloodshot: "I can't wait any longer. That rebellious son didn't care about killing his own brothers, who knows what he'll do next? Will he even kill me, his father?! If Chang'an falls into chaos, my empire..."

At this point, he clenched his fists and slammed them heavily on the table, causing the edges of the map to curl up.

Just then, another report came from outside the tent:

"Your Majesty, news has arrived from Chang'an that the rebellion of Hou Junji has been quelled by the Crown Prince. Furthermore, the Crown Prince has publicly executed all those involved in the rebellion, including Chai Zhewei, son of the Duke of Qiao; Li Zong, son of the Prince of Rencheng; Cheng Huailiang, son of Cheng Zhijie; Yuchi Huan, son of Yuchi Gong; as well as the sons of nobles who participated in the rebellion, civil and military officials, and Hou Junji's cronies, totaling 328 people..."

Boom!

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji were struck dumb.

However, this was not the most shocking thing for them.

What shocked them most was that Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin, and Li Xiaogong had just reached the door, ready to report the military situation to Li Shimin.

what happened? !
how so? !

Our son was executed by the Crown Prince?!
The sheer astonishment left them petrified, completely dumbfounded.

"puff--"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Li Shimin coughed up a mouthful of blood, and Changsun Wuji was horrified: "Someone! Quickly summon the imperial physician!"

"That unfilial son—!!"

Before Li Shimin fainted, he let out a ferocious roar that sounded inhuman.

.......
at the same time.

In Fu'ai, the setting sun bleeds like blood.

The capital of Tuyuhun, which had just been ravaged by war, was stained with a somber ochre red.

Inside the royal tent, the tallow torches crackled, and the sounds of heavy breathing and the rustling of armor replaced the usual music.

A huge map was laid out in the center. Li Chengqian, dressed in his dusty armor, knelt before the map, his fingertips pressing heavily on the locations marked with Pibo and Gaochang. His face was so gloomy it could drip water.

"The Tibetan emperor has personally led the central army and crossed the Bayan Har Mountains. His vanguard is less than three hundred li from our southwestern border!"

"Ashina Helu of the Western Turks, in collusion with Qu Wentai of Gaochang, has sent his iron cavalry out of the Altun Mountains, their advance aimed directly at Shanzhou, which I have just recovered!"

"The Gaochang army, as the vanguard, has already invaded Guazhou!"

"Further north, their tribes have been frequently moving about north of the Yin Mountains, showing signs of restlessness!"

Li Jing's voice was deep and somber, and with each piece of news he reported, the atmosphere in the tent grew more tense.

According to Li Shimin's orders, he should be stationed in Chang'an now, serving as the Right Minister, a position that is almost entirely sinecure.

However, with the country in peril and Li Chengqian's decree as crown prince, he couldn't care less about anything else and directly followed Li Chengqian on the western expedition.

As for the generals Li Daliang, Li Ji, Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, and others, they all gathered around, their brows furrowed, and the air inside the tent seemed to freeze, making it hard to breathe.

Surrounded on all sides, truly surrounded on all sides!

The Tang Dynasty's most elite generals and this isolated army deep in the plateau seemed to be in dire straits.

"Okay, very good!"

Li Chengqian suddenly let out a cold laugh, which sounded particularly jarring in the oppressive royal tent.

He abruptly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the generals like a cold blade:
"Songtsen Gampo, Ashina Helu, and Qu Wentai, they really think highly of me, Li Chengqian! Do they think they can suffocate me on this plateau by joining forces?"

With that, he kicked aside the stool that was in his way, squatted down in front of the map, and drew several arrows outwards from the location of Tuyuhun with his finger: "Since they are courting death, then let's fight!"

"Your Highness!"

Li Daliang, the most cautious of them all, said with deep concern, "The enemy has surrounded us from all sides, their forces outnumber ours several times over, and they are advancing from a strategic location. Our army is isolated and facing a long supply line. Should we temporarily avoid their advance and retreat towards Liangzhou and Shanzhou, relying on the fortified cities..."

"shrink?"

Li Chengqian interrupted him, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a deep voice:
"If we retreat, the former territory of Tuyuhun will rebel again in an instant, our flanks will be exposed, and the Tibetan cavalry can drive straight in along the Qilian Mountains and attack Longyou! At that time, we will truly be on the defensive!"

He pointed his finger heavily at the arrowhead of the Tibetan central army and said, "Songtsen Gampo has allied with two countries to launch a joint attack on our Great Tang. Does he think he has us cornered?"

As he finished speaking, a glint of madness and cunning flashed in his eyes: "But he forgot, his hometown is now empty!"

Wow!
The generals were immediately taken aback.

Li Chengqian suddenly looked at Yu Gushe, who had been silent for a long time but whose eyes were bright: "Wolf Fang Guard!"

"exist!"

Yu Gushe stepped forward instantly.

But then Li Chengqian said in a deep voice:
"Do you still remember how we dealt with Jieli back in Shuofang? We launched a thousand-mile raid, heading straight for his headquarters!"

"Today, I will grant you another great achievement: equip the Wolf Fang Guard with one man and three horses, along with enough arrows and ten days' worth of rations!"

As he spoke, Li Chengqian's finger suddenly swept westward from Tuyuhun, across a blank area, and then plunged sharply into the heart of Tibet on the map:

"Get over the Tanggula Mountains for me! Go around to Songtsen Gampo's back! Isn't he coming out in full force? I'll have you set fire to his house! Turn the world upside down! Make sure he can't defend himself from both sides!"

hiss--!
A collective gasp filled the tent.

Crossing the Tanggula Mountains and making a thousand-mile raid into the heart of Tibet? That's absolutely insane!

A terrifying glint flashed in Yu Gushe's eyes. Without any hesitation, he clasped his hands and said sternly, "This subordinate obeys! If I fail to wreak havoc on their stronghold, I will offer my head in return!"

He was a born adventurer, and this kind of mission was exactly what he wanted.

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian shouted, turning his gaze to the young Xue Rengui, who stood out among the generals in his white robe and silver armor: "Iron Pagoda!"

"exist!"

Xue Rengui stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell.

"The Gaochang army is weak, relying only on the strength of the Western Turks and the terrain! I will equip your Iron Pagoda with 8,000 elite troops, mostly infantry, and also with powerful crossbows!"

"Aren't you good at archery? I don't need you to attack cities, I just want you to be like a nail, firmly nailed to the Altyn Pass!"

"If Qu Wentai dares to come out, shoot him back with crossbow bolts! If Ashina Helu wants to join us, beat him mercilessly and make it impossible for him to move an inch! Do you think you can do that?!"

A hint of arrogance flashed across Xue Rengui's face as he said decisively:
"Your Highness, rest assured! With my Iron Pagoda Cavalry here, neither Gaochang nor the Western Turks will dare to cross the line! Eight thousand powerful crossbowmen are like invitations from eight thousand Yama, the King of Hell!"

"Black-armored guards! Musketeers!"

"exist!"

Su Dingfang and Pei Xuan stepped forward to accept the order.

Li Chengqian stared intently at them:

"The two of you will accompany me on this expedition. You must be well prepared, especially the artillery and gunpowder weapons of the Musketeers. They cannot fail at critical moments. Furthermore, you must maintain constant contact with the Chang'an Academy of Sciences and the arsenal. As soon as new weapons become available, send them to me immediately!"

"As ordered!"

The two spoke in unison.

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Generals Li Jing and Li Ji and said with a smile, "Generals, it's really too much trouble for you to be my assistants this time."

"Your Highness, what are you saying? We have always admired Your Highness's military talent. There is no question of us being your assistants. We will follow Your Highness's orders in everything!" Li Jing said immediately with a serious expression.

Li Ji echoed, "Indeed! Your Highness the Crown Prince annihilated two kingdoms in a single battle—what a display of heroism! We are the ones who benefited from Your Highness's glory! It is an honor to fight alongside Your Highness in this life!"

"Haha! You two generals are too kind!"

Li Chengqian threw his head back and laughed loudly, then quickly suppressed his laughter and said:

"Since the two generals are so sincere in helping me, then I would like to trouble you two to take charge of the central army, oversee the grain and supplies, stabilize the situation in Tuyuhun, and appease the newly annexed tribes!"

"At the same time, use a feint to create the illusion that our main force is still in Fusi City, preparing for a decisive battle with the Tibetans!" "Furthermore, stabilize Songtsen Gampo's central army to buy time for Yugushe and Xue Rengui!"

"I obey your orders!"

The two responded in deep voices, their eyes revealing both appreciation and solemnity.

"Commander Li!"

Li Chengqian looked at him one last time: "You are familiar with the terrain of Longyou and Hexi. I order you to return to Liangzhou immediately, reorganize the rear forces, and closely monitor the movements of the Xueyantuo! At the same time, ensure the army's supply lines. If anything goes wrong, you will be held responsible!"

"This humble general would gladly die a thousand deaths!"

Li Daliang knew the weight of his responsibility and clasped his hands in a deep fist salute.

"Is everything clear?"

Li Chengqian's gaze swept over the generals, his voice resolute: "In this battle, there is no turning back! Yu Gushe will strike directly at the heart of the enemy, Xue Rengui will guard the choke point, the two generals will hold the central command, and Li Daliang will protect the rear! Enemies on all sides? I will make them besieged on all sides!"

Having said that, he suddenly drew his sword from his waist, its cold gleam reflecting on his young yet incredibly resolute face: "All departments, proceed according to plan and prepare immediately!"

"In this battle, I will make Songtsen Gampo understand who the true king of this plateau is! I will make Ashina Helu and Qu Wentai know that betraying the Tang Dynasty will come at a price they cannot afford!"

"The Tang Dynasty is victorious!"

The generals were aroused by this extremely audacious yet intricately linked plan, and roared in unison, their voices echoing throughout the royal tent.

Once the roar subsided, Li Chengqian turned his gaze back to Yu Gushe and instructed him:

“Yu Gu She, there is something I must remind you of. The plateau is not a grassland. If you encounter a blizzard, do not linger in battle. Detour to the Qiangtang Grassland. The herdsmen there have a long-standing feud with the Tubo. You can offer them salt and iron in exchange for them guiding you.”

Yu Gushe was taken aback for a moment, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes: "This subordinate understands! Using someone else to do the dirty work will also disrupt the Tibetan rear!"

"Xue Rengui!"

Li Chengqian then turned to the white-robed general, pointing his fingertip at the edge of the valley in the Altun Mountains:
"This valley is narrow. You can bury gunpowder on the cliffs on both sides and blow up their retreat when the Western Turkic cavalry enter the valley. Although the Iron Pagoda is strong, it is still just infantry. Guarding the mountain pass is guarding your life."

Xue Rengui glanced down at the map, then suddenly looked up: "Your Highness, rest assured! This humble general will make sure Ashina Helu knows what it means to be able to hold off ten thousand men!"

Li Jing watched as Li Chengqian methodically added the details, stroking his beard and nodding in approval.

This plan, though seemingly crazy, reveals a precise calculation of the terrain and the enemy situation.

The Wolf Fang Guards' mobility broke through the Tibetan encirclement, the Iron Pagoda's resilience blocked the Western Turks' advance, and the central army's feint stabilized the overall situation. Every step was taken to exploit the enemy's weaknesses.

"His Royal Highness."

Li Ji suddenly spoke, pointing to the junction of Gaochang and the Western Turkic Khaganate on the map:
"Qu Wentai is a coward who is afraid of death. If General Xue can win a small victory at the Altun Pass, he might be scared into retreating to Gaochang City. At that time, the Western Turks will be isolated, and Ashina Helu will definitely want to retreat."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up: "Good! Let Xue Rengui start by attacking the Gaochang army! Issue my order to equip the Iron Pagoda with thirty heavy cannons and blast Qu Wentai's courage to death!"

"promise!"

As the generals received their orders and dispersed, the setting sun outside the tent had already sunk below the horizon, and the twilight spread like ink.

Seeing Li Chengqian lost in thought, staring at the map, Li Jing slowly stepped forward:
"Your Highness, this plan is ingenious, but the risk is too great. If Yu Gu sends a lone army deep into enemy territory and the Tibetans discover it..."

"General Li, there's no need for further words."

Li Chengqian interrupted him, his voice tinged with weariness, yet unusually firm:
"The art of war is about seeking victory in dangerous situations. Songtsen Gampo thought I was a caged bird, but he forgot that I, this bird, have sharp claws."

He traced his fingertip across Pibo City in the heart of Tibet: "As long as the Wolf Fang Guard can set fire to Tibet's stronghold, even Songtsen Gampo's most elite cavalry will have to turn back to put out the fire."

Li Jing was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed:
"This old minister recalls how he followed Your Majesty in defeating Dou Jiande, and it was in the same way that he was put in a life-or-death situation and survived. Your Highness has the same vigor as Your Majesty in your youth."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's lips curled into a rare gentle smile: "To hear such words from you, Lord Li, is my great fortune. However..."

As he spoke, he looked towards Liaodong: "My father, the emperor, may not understand me..."

"His Majesty will understand."

Li Jing, thinking Li Chengqian was referring to the risky move in this battle, chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, saying:

"Children of imperial families, how can they not grow up on the edge of a knife? Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince is doing this for the western border of the Tang Dynasty."

"hehe…."

Li Chengqian smiled noncommittally and said nothing more.

Soon, Li Jing left the royal tent.

Not long after he saw him off, Pei Xingjian's figure came into his sight.

"Your Highness, urgent report from Liaodong!"

"Hmm, tell me about it!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand in response, somewhat surprised.

Pei Xingjian immediately reported, "Your Highness, according to our scouts, His Majesty has suffered a defeat at Anshi City and will likely return to the capital soon."

"Ha, he's really stubborn as a mule. He knows exactly how to defeat the enemy, but he just won't tell me!"

Li Chengqian sneered, then asked, "Any news about Gao Yanshou and Li Siyuan?"

"Yes. I was just about to report this to His Highness the Crown Prince. The Go Yeon-soo family has decided to betray Yeon Gaesomun. Yeon Gaesomun's prestige in Goguryeo is declining, and he is consolidating his power by killing people every day. Meanwhile, the King of Goguryeo is secretly gathering strength, preparing to launch a counterattack against him."

At this point, Pei Xingjian couldn't help but laugh: "It is said that his strategist is none other than Li Siyuan."

"It seems that the two of them did not disappoint me."

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, then continued, "Send someone to inform them not to rush and to wait until I go to Liaodong before taking action. Don't alert them and let Yeon Gaesomun notice."

"Yes, I understand. I will send someone to inform them immediately."

"Wait a minute!"

Seeing that Pei Xingjian was about to leave, Li Chengqian quickly stopped him and asked, "Is everything alright in Chang'an? Has Yang Nannan sent any news?"

"this."

Pei Xingjian hesitated for a moment, then said somewhat strangely, "Since His Highness the Crown Prince made the final decision, the chaos in Chang'an has basically subsided. If there's any particularly noteworthy news, it's probably that young lady surnamed Wu who passed the examination and was admitted to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian looked completely bewildered: "You mean Hua Gu joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"Yes! Yang Nannan personally assessed him, and he got almost full marks in every assessment!"

Pei Xingjian nodded, then cautiously examined Li Chengqian and asked, "What does Your Highness think? Do you intend to summon her? If Your Highness is unwilling?"

"It doesn't matter, let her be."

Li Chengqian waved his hand to interrupt Pei Xingjian, then turned his gaze to the map and said in a deep voice, "What I am most concerned about now is how to destroy these three kingdoms in a short time. I have no interest in anything else."

"Oh, alright. Has Your Highness had your meal?"

"Now that you mention it, I am actually a little hungry."

"It seems our Crown Prince is quite interested in food. Hehe."

"Without further ado!"

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes at him, then waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go and get me something to eat!"

"Yes!"

Pei Xingjian responded and then immediately turned and left.

After watching him leave, Li Chengqian smacked his lips and remarked, "It's really not used to not having Laifu by my side."

As he spoke, he suddenly thought of Li Er again, and his eyes gradually became unfocused.

Although he orchestrated this grand scheme, he still felt considerable pressure when he actually faced Li Er.

It wasn't that he was afraid of Li Er, but rather that he was worried about some potential problems.

If he really confronts Li Er, and Li Er resolutely refuses to abdicate and is determined to fight him to the death, can he kill Li Er?

It's obvious that he would never take this step unless absolutely necessary.

so.
"system!"

He suddenly called out to the system.

[Here! ]

A mechanical voice sounded.

"Damn, I haven't used it in ages. Hearing your voice actually feels kind of familiar."

Li Chengqian muttered a complaint, then asked directly, "Can I kill Li Shimin?"

(End of this chapter)