Emperor Zhenguan

Chapter 146 Guessing and Doubt

Li Shimin said melancholy: "The prince can't win over the king of Chu, is he finally going to do it?"

In Li Shimin's view, the prince's capture of the Yunyang army is equivalent to the prince's attack on the king of Chu.All the ministers of the Tang Dynasty knew that the Yunyang Army was a direct descendant of King Jinyang of Chu, and had never been commanded by a second person.

Yu Zhining said: "Your Highness, this conclusion is too early."

"Oh, what do you think?" Li Shimin asked him, tilting his head.

"Your Highness, this subordinate thinks that the crown prince wants to develop his power in the army, and he doesn't want to give up trying to win over King Chu right now. This incident is just an opportunity. King Qi and the crown prince are friendly, so the crown prince will naturally not do anything to him. The generals of the clan, such as King Huai'an and others are confidantes of saints, and it is not easy for the crown prince to strike. As a result, only His Highness and the King of Chu are left. If His Highness's troops stay in Chang'an this time, the Crown Prince will also attack."

Fang Qiao nodded in agreement, "What you said is reasonable. The prince is definitely not someone who gives up easily. The king of Chu is valued by saints and is a brother. There is absolutely no reason for the prince to give up now."

Li Shimin said: "Anyway, it is true that the crown prince has hated the King of Chu this time."

It is not as simple as a verbal conflict to seize a person's direct line of soldiers and horses.

Yu Zhining thought of something, and said with a smile: "There is one more small matter, His Highness may be very happy to hear it."

"Tell me." Li Shimin seemed very interested.This kind of gossip about watching the opponent suffer is very interesting.

Yu Zhining said: "My brother mentioned in the letter that after the king of Chu led his troops to Wuguan, he immediately integrated his troops and did not allow Li Yuan to intervene. After defeating Zhu Can, he did not give Li Yuan and Zheng Yuanzhen a share of the pie. Instead, it was King Changping who finally took the place of King Chu and commanded the army to attack Xiangcheng and deal Zhu Can a fatal blow."

Hearing this, Li Shimin burst out laughing.

Changsun Wuji also let out a sinister laugh, "King Changping has been trapped in Nanyang for a long time, but he never thought that he would be able to take down Zhu Can instead of King Chu. It's interesting, it's so interesting."

How could they not understand this kind of behavior that obviously excluded Li Yuan and disgusted Li Yuan.

Fang Qiao said: "It seems that the King of Chu is really angry this time."

The smile on Li Shimin's face couldn't be held back, "It's normal to be angry, after all, the Yunyang Army has always been the commander of Zhiyun. Anyone who acts like the prince will be angry."

"It seems that the king of Chu also knows who is plotting against him behind his back." Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment, then thought: "However, the king of Chu's performance in this matter seems to be a bit too calm and smooth."

"Auxiliary machine, what do you mean?" Li Shimin looked blankly.

Changsun Wuji said: "According to my investigation, after the Crown Prince conspired to capture the Yunyang Army, the King of Chu was still escorting food and grass to Xiangzhou. Logically speaking, the Yunyang Army is the direct descendant of the King of Chu. It is impossible that no one notified the King of Chu and the Yunyang Army. However, the king of Chu didn’t seem to know anything about it. He didn’t rush back to Chang’an until he arrived in Puzhou under the will of the saint. Isn’t it surprising? Do you know about the Yunyang Army?"

"Second point, since Li Yuan entered Shangzhou, the development of the situation has deviated from the prince's plan. When King Changping asked Li Yuan to cooperate with him in attacking Zhu Can, it is understandable that Li Yuan was defeated. After all, Zhu Can had many troops. , but it is a bit wrong to retreat to stick to Wuguan. Even if it is involved, it seems that the defeat will not be so miserable."

"The whole thing gives me the feeling that besides the prince, there is another hand controlling the outcome of the battle in Nanyang."

The news of the great victory in Nanyang has already spread to Chang'an. As the king of Qin, Li Shimin can naturally see the detailed victory report, so all the confidants in the palace of the king of Qin know the course of the battle.Furthermore, Yu Zhining's elder brother is Yu Yongning. He has personally experienced it, and he passed the news to the Qin Palace, so Changsun Wuji and others can be very clear about the details of the battle.

Fang Qiao said: "You mean, the King of Chu is also secretly plotting this matter?"

"I don't have evidence, so it's hard to be sure." Changsun Wuji said.

Li Shimin rubbed his chin, pondered for a while, and said: "I know a little about Li Yuan's character. It is enough to be the governor of one side, but not enough to take on a big responsibility if he is to attack a fortified battle. Furthermore, if the crown prince's plan is the Yunyang Army, then Li Yuan Deliberately defeating the army, so as to preserve the soldiers and horses, is an option. What do you think?"

Yu Zhining nodded and said, "It's possible."

Changsun Wuji thought about it and said, "What your Highness said makes more sense than what your subordinates said. What your subordinates think is more of a guess."

"You can't say that." Li Shimin said: "At the very least, I think that when the crown prince moved the Yunyang army, someone from the Yunyang army must have notified the king of Chu. Your guess on this point is somewhat reasonable."

After speaking, everyone fell into deep thought again.

This matter is not simple on the surface, let alone in-depth analysis.

Not long after, Yu Zhining said: "No matter whether the King of Chu is planning something secretly, there will inevitably be a lot of differences between him and the crown prince, even hostility."

"That's right." Li Shimin said with a smile: "It is true that the crown prince conspired to seize the Yunyang Army, and it is also true that the King of Chu rejected Li Yuan and Zheng Yuanxuan. This cannot be faked."

He is happy when the king of Chu is not with the prince.

Yu Zhining said: "Your Highness, maybe this time the King of Chu is back, we can have more contact with the King of Chu."

Li Shimin nodded. He has been in contact with the King of Chu all the time, but the King of Chu has always been indifferent. This time is a good opportunity.

Changsun Wuji said: "In my opinion, it's better to take this opportunity to let the prince hate the King of Chu."

"How to say?" Li Shimin asked.

Changsun Wuji analyzed: "This time King Changping was trapped in Nanyang by Zhu Can. The court said that the prince's recommendation of Li Yuan was a major mistake. From this point of view, the sage wanted Li Yuan to take responsibility for the defeat. We You might as well push the boat along the way in the court, not only to ask the sage to deal with Li Yuan, but also to deal with Zheng Yuanxuan, in this way, the crown prince and the king of Chu will definitely be dissatisfied with each other."

Everyone looked at Li Shimin, who tapped his forehead lightly, half-closed his eyes, and said, "It can be done, but it can't be proposed by us. It has to be pushed at a critical moment."

The three nodded.

Immediately afterwards, Yu Zhining reminded: "His Royal Highness, the prince is now more and more eager to get the support of the army, we still have to be careful, and we must not be careless."

Of course, Li Shimin is very clear about this point. Now he holds half of the elite army of the Tang Dynasty in his hands, and his military achievements are also the first in the court. Of course, he knows where his advantages lie.

The army is the most important thing, and there is absolutely no room for loss.

Speaking of this, Li Shimin thought of something, and suddenly said: "Going to the palace now, my father gave the eldest son of this king the name Chengqian, what do you think of this name?"

The three looked at each other in blank dismay, and immediately congratulated each other.

"Congratulations Your Highness, congratulations son."

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hands, "You all stay here today and have a few drinks with me."

"As ordered."

The three agreed with a smile.

(End of this chapter)