The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 299

In Bashang camp, the Sui army was training like a raging fire, only to hear the loud shouts of killing, one after another, two armies with different costumes were attacking each other in the wilderness outside the barracks, with high flags fluttering in the wind. It is a battle flag with the word "Yuchi" and a battle flag with the word "Niu".

Yu Chigong and Niu Jinda had just laid down the Xiaoguo Army. They were displeased and dissatisfied with the 'new recruits' who took over, and then felt that they were not qualified. The two started a confrontation in order to let the 'new recruits' form combat effectiveness as soon as possible. practise!

Yang Tong felt that the two of them were a little spoiled, but as a king, who wouldn't want his generals to train like this?Therefore, I sympathize with these soldiers who surrendered from Li Tang emotionally, but rationally approve of the actions of the second general.

"His Royal Highness, there is news from the scouts that the Tang Dynasty has sent envoys ten miles away." At this time, a guard came to report.

"Who is the messenger?"

It's all done like this, Li Yuan can either get out or die, there is no third choice, what is there to talk about between the Sui and Tang Dynasties?

"The principal envoy is Li Jiancheng, and the deputy envoy is Xiao Yu, escorted by a thousand elite soldiers led by Li Daozong."

Yang Tong was also a little surprised. Isn't Li Yuan afraid that he will detain Li Jiancheng, the prince of Li Tang?But after thinking about it again, he felt relieved, Li Tang was defeated to this point, and Li Jiancheng was actually not much different from being detained in Chang'an.

"Let's see each other!" Yang Tong said to Du Ruhui who was at the side: "Keming, you go to greet him on my behalf. Also represent us Da Sui and talk to him to see what's going on."

In general negotiations, the deputy envoys are the ones who talk first, and when the talks are almost done, the heads of both sides reach a consensus and sign an agreement. It can also be said that the main work is done by the deputy envoys. Yang Tong has no civil servants around him, so Du Ruhui can only let Du Ruhui top.

"Here!"

"Li Tang is a traitor. We can ignore the identity of Li Tang's prince. We need to let him understand that Li Tang is on the verge of extinction. Whether he lives or dies is entirely up to me. But Li Jiancheng is the eldest brother of Concubine Li. Not bad, the etiquette in this respect must be given to him."

"Humble job understands!"

Du Ruhui saluted and left quickly.

Yang Tong's eyes continued to look at the two armies in the competition. For Yang Tong who had a 100% advantage, there was no need to negotiate at all, and Li Tang was not qualified to make a little request to Da Sui.If it wasn't for Li Shimin running away, if it wasn't for the Guanlong Group to set up a family in the south, Yang Tong really didn't want to let Li Yuan go!

And if Li Yuan is sent to the south, the emperor of Li Tang will still be Li Yuan, and the Li family dynasty will still be a situation where Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin are fighting for the party. The current Li and Tang dynasty is definitely a hundred times more difficult to deal with than it is now. Therefore, the living Li Yuan is more valuable to Yang Tong. If this is the case, let the Li family dynasty continue to fight among themselves.

. . . . . . .

On the other side, Li Jiancheng, under the guard of Qianming Yuan Cong Guards, drove towards Bashang quickly. Looking at the familiar mountains, Li Jiancheng's eyes flashed with reluctance and nostalgia. Pressed on his shoulders, he often visits in secret and solves practical problems for farmers.In the past few years, he has traveled all over the land of Guanzhong, and his affection for this land is no lower than anyone else, but Li Tang was defeated. No matter how reluctant he is, he must leave Guanzhong and go to the unknown south to seek an unknown future.

"Xiao Xiangguo! Tell me, why is my Tang Dynasty like this?" After a long silence, Li Jiancheng asked Xiao Yu who was walking side by side.

"Your Highness, do you still remember what Yang Tong said about 'Li and Tang's Seven Defeats'?" Xiao Yu asked back.

One defeat, Li Yuan wins arrogant, ambitious, loses indecisive, indecisive

The second defeat, Li Yuan's nepotism, superficially magnanimous, but in reality he is suspicious and ungrateful

Three defeats, unknown rewards and punishments for the Tang army, most of the founding generals were thieves, all of them were arrogant and arrogant, thinking that they had contributed to the Tang army, and ignored military orders.

Four defeats, rich Guanlong dignitaries, even the incompetent children of aristocratic families have no worries about the future, occupying too many positions, so that the poor have no way to advance.

Five defeats, the Li Tang Dynasty did not dare to affect the interests of the Guanlong nobles, but exploited the poor people extremely, the people's hearts were lost, and the people at the bottom regarded Li Tang as a tyrant to Qin
Six defeats, Li Yuan, in order to consolidate his throne, indulged Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin to fight brothers, internal fighting, has always been the beginning of a country's decline.

Qibai, Li Yuan is suspicious, self-willed, everything is done by himself, and he makes mistakes one after another.

"Remember!" Yang Tong listed the 'Li Yuan's seven defeats', each pointing directly at Li Tang's core issues, how could Li Jiancheng not remember?Li Jiancheng also got the answer to Li Tang's failure, and did not pursue it. Generally speaking, Li Tang's defeat today is a failure of the national policy and system, and a failure of the top-down court officials.

If these reasons of defeat are not resolved, Li Tang may have no problem dealing with some small princes, but if he encounters the strong army of the Sui Dynasty, he will definitely continue to lose.

But as a prince, what can he do?
The solution he can think of is actually to save as much money and food as possible, and train elite soldiers latently, instead of exhausting the energy of elite soldiers for the sake of empty territory. Hehuang area is indeed in his hands, but he lost it in a blink of an eye. Clean and tidy, without gaining an inch of territory, the elite soldiers were defeated.If it weren't for the father's overvaluation of the territory, how could Guanzhong, which has elite soldiers in command, fall so quickly?
The second solution that Li Jiancheng thought of was to solve the land problem. After arriving in the south, he persuaded his father to distribute the official land to the people and implement the land equalization system. There is a silver lining.

At the same time, the problem of internal strife must be resolved. Li Tang's internal strife has two main lines. One is the power struggle between him and Li Shimin, and the other is the dispute between various interest groups in the court. Tang Jun's repeated failures are largely related to internal strife. How can the Sui Dynasty be defeated if there is no internal unity?

Of course, the most important thing is his father's character. If he can't get rid of cronyism, the Tang Dynasty will continue to sink. It would be better if he can be more generous to the general in charge.But this defect in character can only be hoped that Li Yuan will realize it by himself and get rid of it, because even if he is a son, he dare not say it?

Especially in terms of military power, Li Jiancheng dared not even mention it.

People often say that "the general is outside, and the emperor's order is not accepted", but in fact, whoever dares to accept it will die. This has been the case since ancient times. Didn't the root of Zhou Yafu's death come from Xiliuying?

Even outsiders are like this, military power is an untouchable gap between the emperor and the prince. If Li Jiancheng suggests to his father that he let go of the military power, then he will be the prince to the end, and he will not even protect his head.

Jun father, Jun father, the king is the father first, if any prince reverses the order, then that prince will be in bad luck.At this point, Li Jiancheng has done a good job.

Li Jiancheng sighed: I hope my father can realize his mistake after this defeat.It's just that I don't know how much the Tang Dynasty will pay for this negotiation?

Thinking of this, I couldn't help laughing at myself again. What else did the Tang Dynasty have in Guanzhong besides Chang'an City?
"Your Highness!"

There was a shout from afar. Li Jiancheng looked east and saw a group of black dots rushing from a distance. Just now his soldiers reported, "His Royal Highness, the people who have been greeted by the Sui army have arrived."

Li Jiancheng felt relieved, Yang Tong paid attention to etiquette, which meant that he would not embarrass himself or detain him.Although Li Jiancheng told Chen Shuda that Yang Tong would not do such a thing as detaining the envoy, in fact he was still very worried.I'm finally relieved now.

Not long after, Du Ruhui galloped up under the guard of a hundred cavalrymen. He was led to Li Jiancheng. Du Ruhui bowed his hands and saluted: "Du Ruhui, Deputy Negotiator of the Great Sui Dynasty, has seen Your Highness!"

"It turned out to be the number one scholar in the Great Sui scientific examination. I have admired it for a long time." Li Jiancheng smiled and saluted. He had indeed admired the name of Du Ruhui for a long time. Not allowed.Those who get his praise will have smooth sailing, but he judges tens of thousands of people, and he only gave Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui the highest evaluation.
This comment became a good talk for a while, and Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui became famous all over the world.Fang Xuanling is now the Minister of the Ministry of Officials of the Sui Dynasty. What is even more powerful is that during the Goguryeo War, Fang Xuanling appointed the commander of the North Route Army of the Sui Dynasty as a literati, and captured Goguryeo Moli Zhiyuan Taizuo (Prime Minister ), Hetai brother (deputy prime minister), Ulji Wende, who is known as the military god of Goguryeo, was shocked by the news when it spread to the Central Plains, and he was included in the ranks of famous commanders.Isn't this exactly what Gao Xiaoji said about "an extremely human minister"?

Fang Xuanling's name is known all over the world, and Du Ruhui won No.1 in the Sui Dynasty's scientific examination. Extremely human minister, Du Nian is slightly reduced to Fang Er. I would like to entrust my descendants with my grandchildren."

Gao Xiaoji has passed away, but Yang Tong's ability to understand people seems to be better than Gao Xiaoji's. If he reuses everything, he has achieved great things.

Du Ruhui is now an official in the Sui Dynasty, and he might not be far away from the day of his ascension!

Thinking of the grand occasion of the Great Sui Dynasty, where the generals were like clouds and counselors were like rain, Li Jiancheng was extremely jealous. He asked with a smile, "How far is it from here to King Qin's residence?"

Du Ruhui replied, "There are still about five or six li."

"That being the case, let's hurry up."

"Here!" Du Ruhui said nothing.

Li Jiancheng and Du Ruhui walked side by side, and said with a smile, "Has Mr. Du been with His Highness King Qin all the time?"

Du Ruhui said with a smile: "My official position is to join the army in the Office of the Prince of Qin's Office. Naturally, I am with the King of Qin. Speaking of which, it is not an official official position in the court. There are no civil servants around His Highness. It is not deliberate to let a humble official take the post of deputy envoy temporarily. Slack."

"Understood." Li Jiancheng smiled and asked tentatively: "I heard that after King Qin returned triumphantly from Liaodong, the navy set off again. Could it be that the Goguryeo war is not over yet? The Goguryeo battle is related to the dignity, honor and disgrace of our family, and we are also very concerned about it." It’s just that Liaodong is too far away, and the news is not smooth.”

This information is related to whether Yang Tong is eager to return to the army. If Yang Tong's battle in Liaodong does not go well, Li Tang may be able to rely on Chang'an to wait for reinforcements.Li Jiancheng seemed to ask casually, but his heart was suspended.

"Hehe, if everyone thinks like His Highness, if everyone can defend the interests of the nation; that will be the luck of our family." Du Ruhui's casual words were full of needles, satirizing the collusion between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, which made Li Jiancheng very angry. Embarrassed, Du Ruhui laughed amusedly, and then said: "Goguryeo was defeated by King Qin back then. If it weren't for the internal instability of our Central Plains, we would have destroyed it long ago. After Goguryeo lost Liaodong, it has been quiet all these years, but the Central Plains have been torn apart recently. I thought that the Sui Dynasty was powerless." In order to prevent Goguryeo from fighting again, His Royal Highness Qin Wang gave up the internal dispute and resolutely sent troops. Goguryeo was conquered by the civil and military forces of the Sui Dynasty, and Liaodong was recovered by the Sui Dynasty. Goguryeo was not the original one. Goguryeo attacked its capital in just four battles. In order to bring back the mountains of spoils, the navy sailed again. In addition to the spoils, more than 70 Goguryeo people also had to be brought back.”

What else can Li Jiancheng say?Thinking of Xue Wanjun's cruel feat of laying human ladders with [-] Turkic corpses, Li Jiancheng couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive. He felt that the military of the Sui Dynasty was all lunatics from top to bottom, and his brother-in-law was the leader of the lunatics.

"Why transport so many Goguryeo people?" Xiao Yu asked.

"Manpower is needed to build roads, build rivers, and reinforce dams. And everyone in our clan is a treasure, and His Royal Highness King Qin is reluctant to be enslaved. As for these alien races, it doesn't matter whether they live or die."

"well said!"

Li Jiancheng couldn't help but praise, and it has always been his philosophy that the people are more important than the mountains. It is really not easy for a ruthless person like Yang Tong to have such an idea.As for the life and death of aliens, ghosts don't care.

This also made Li Jiancheng sigh secretly. It is no wonder that in the Sui Dynasty, the policies that benefited the country and the people, such as the government-gentle tax system, the military support system, compulsory education, and the imperial examination system, were carried out smoothly. The key is Yang Tong, the Great Sui The leader pays attention!

However, his own father rewarded a large amount of land to his relatives and relatives, resulting in the dilemma of having no land to divide. This comparison made Li Jiancheng sigh and feel very frustrated.

They walked for a few miles, passing groups of soldiers. There were tens of thousands of soldiers participating in the training, and everyone was full of fighting spirit.

"What a strong army, if my Tang army is like this, why worry about the world being injustice?" Li Jiancheng whispered to Li Daozong beside him.

Li Daozong said with embarrassment and black lines: "Your Highness, these soldiers were originally my Tang soldiers."

Li Jiancheng was startled when he heard the words. He stopped his horse and looked at the soldiers participating in the training, only to see that these soldiers turned a blind eye to them.

Li Jiancheng stood there for a while, only to hear the sound of shouts of killing, and an officer shouted: "The only way for our army to be promoted in the Sui Dynasty is military merit. Merit must be rewarded, and demerits must be punished. Anyone is no exception. You When you join the army and fight, your family will be allocated land and free from taxes. If you die in battle, you will not only receive a generous pension, but your parents and children will be supported by the court; if you are disabled, the court will also arrange a job to support your family. , there is a monthly subsidy."

The soldiers became even more excited, shouts of killing rang out, and Li Jiancheng sighed again: Even such a simple reward, the Tang Dynasty could not do it.How could soldiers be willing to die for the Tang Dynasty?If it was him, Li Jiancheng, he wouldn't do it either.

Li Jiancheng's mood darkened all of a sudden, and after walking for a while, the Sui army's camp got closer.

At this time, Luo Shixin led a group of cavalry forward, cupped his fists and saluted: "According to the military order of His Highness, the Tang envoy can only bring 20 people into the camp!"

Li Daozong glanced at Li Jiancheng and asked for his opinion. Li Jiancheng nodded and said, "Follow the rules."

(End of this chapter)