The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 458 Li Shimin's Choice
Li Shimin also received the news that Luo Shixin had defeated Li Xiaogong and occupied Xiangcheng and Fuyang. Seeing the urgent report sent by Li Xiaogong before his defeat, his heart was heavy.

In the three or four years of the Sui-Tang War, the Tang Dynasty has always been at a disadvantage, no, it should be said that it has been losing miserably. The Sui Dynasty may now be unable to gather the power of the whole country to destroy the Tang Dynasty because of the eastern Central Plains, but what about Yang Tong's recovery of the Central Plains?As time goes by, the Sui Dynasty will become stronger and stronger, while the Tang Dynasty, which was already suppressed and beaten, will become weaker and weaker. The army that was finally formed has lost more than [-] people. If you own more than [-] troops Lost in Luoyang, it will become quite easy for the Sui Dynasty to destroy the Tang Dynasty.

This time, for Luoyang and for the vast Central Plains, Li Tang used his wealth accumulated over a year to send more than 30 troops in one fell swoop, which is huge, but what about now?Li Xiaogong and Li Daozong's [-] troops were wiped out, Li Daozong and Wang Junkuo fell, and less than [-] of them fled to their own territory. Maybe Luo Shixin had some luck, but the strength of the Sui army cannot be denied. You know, The armies of Li Xiaogong and Li Daozong are all masters of all battles who strive for excellence, but in the end they were easily brought down by Luo Shixin.If things go on like this, I am afraid that troops like Nanyang and Xiyang will not be able to keep Nanyang and Xiyang, and those county soldiers are definitely not the opponents of the Sui army.Once these two counties fall, the Sui army will come to Xiangyang next.And even if he captured Luoyang, he would eventually fall into a desperate situation surrounded by all sides.

This is where Li Shimin's heart is heavy. He believes that the Tang Dynasty has reached an extremely dangerous situation.

"Your Highness!" Liu Wenjing, the military adviser accompanying him, looked at Li Shimin and said in a deep voice, "Now our army is restrained by the Sui army, and it is difficult for us to move an inch. With our army alone, we are afraid that we will lose to the tiger and wolf army."

"Why don't I know?" Li Shimin said bitterly

"The only plan for now is to break through Luoyang as soon as possible and destroy Wang Shichong!" Qiu Xinggong said in a deep voice.

"Break?" Li Shimin smiled wryly: "Wang Shichong intends to fight my life and death with Datang. How easy is it to break through Luoyang in a short period of time? Even if we break through Luoyang, we will be like Wang Shichong, the turtle in the urn."

Liu Wenjing sighed, and said: "In war, we should not care about the gains and losses of a city or a place, but about destroying the enemy's vitality and preserving our own army. As long as our army is still there, there will be everything in the future. If we only know how to attack The city plundered the land but wiped out all the people, and in the end there was nothing left. Your Highness, retreat. If you don’t retreat, it will be too late."

Although Yang Tong hasn't mobilized troops yet, he has the entire army riding on him, but he decides the initiative in the war. He fights when he wants, and leaves when he wants.And Li Shimin has a large number of pawns in his hands, even if he wants to find a chance to fight decisively, he will not fight you hard.The most important thing is that this place is very suitable for cavalry to gallop. It would be great if we can safely retreat to the Hongnong area. The terrain there is relatively complicated, with mountains, rivers, and dense forests. The advantages of cavalry will be greatly limited. With the superior force, It is enough to deal with Yang Tong.But the distance of hundreds of miles, really running down, is enough for Yang Tong's Sui army to wear down this elite team calmly. Li Xiaogong's fate is their tomorrow, so they retreated into Hongnong before the Sui army took any action. , is the wisest choice.

When Li Shimin heard the words, he suddenly fell silent.

It's not that he doesn't understand Liu Wenjing's meaning, nor is he ignorant of the necessity of withdrawing troops, but he still has to think about himself.Because long before the launch of the Luoyang Battle, he and his elder brother Li Jiancheng had a fierce quarrel.

The elder brother Li Jiancheng's strategy focused on developing the south, developing internal affairs, and strengthening his own strength. He opposed the provocation of the Tang Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty, the expansion to the north, and the annihilation of Wang Shichong, a buffer force.

But what about Li Shimin himself?He thinks that Li Jiancheng's thinking is too conservative, and thinks that the current Tang Dynasty can still suppress Yang Tong one or two times. In a few years, Yang Tong doesn't know what it will be like, and the Tang Dynasty may have a [-]% chance of winning They are all gone, so he advocated capturing Luoyang, and then using Hangu Pass and Hulao Pass to isolate the Sui army and expand the strategic depth of Xiangbei.It happened that his father Li Yuan also had the same meaning, so the Battle of Luoyang happened.

The father and son believed that the Tang Dynasty had accumulated for a year and had many elite soldiers, so it might not be possible to capture Luoyang in a short period of time. In order to achieve the strategic goal of a quick victory, they did not hesitate to deceive Wang Shichong on the grounds of forming an alliance.However, the Battle of Luoyang turned into a war of attrition. Not to mention not being able to win Luoyang, Li Xiaogong and Li Daozong's [-] troops were folded into it. , It will even affect his position in the heart of the father.After all, the Battle of Luoyang was brought about by himself, so he has to bear the blame.

But if he breaks Luoyang and then retreats, at least it means that he has broken through Luoyang, and if he really wants to pursue it at that time, that is also Li Xiaogong's responsibility. If you want to blame him, you can blame him for losing too fast. Otherwise, he will attack Luoyang and plot the strategy of the Central Plains will not fail.

Based on personal interests, Li Shimin knew that the Sui army was lying on God Dadan, squatting aside, and still stormed Luoyang City day and night.

Li Shimin's intentions were to deceive others, but he could not hide it from Liu Wenjing. He was quite dissatisfied with Li Shimin's selfishness: Li Shimin's dynasties have reached such a dangerous point, and Li Shimin is still betting on the safety of the country. If the Tang Dynasty is destroyed , What do you get if you win Li Jiancheng?Because of this, he has been admonishing Li Shimin to preserve his vitality and withdraw from Luoyang.

But Li Shimin was the main general, and Liu Wenjing had no choice but to worry in his heart.Seeing that Li Shimin responded with silence again, he left the Chinese army tent angrily.

Not long after Liu Wenjing left, a soldier outside the door urgently reported: "Your Highness, the order to withdraw troops from Xiangyang will be sent again."

Li Shimin was taken aback, and Gao Shilian looked at each other in blank dismay. From the day before yesterday to now, this is already the tenth withdrawal order from Li Yuan. Li Shimin sighed and said, "Bring it in!"

A personal soldier walked into the big tent and presented an urgent letter with both hands. Li Shimin took a look and showed a wry smile on his face.

"Are you urging His Highness to withdraw the troops again?" Gao Shilian asked closely.

Li Shimin nodded, and handed the letter to him, "Father wrote the letter himself, saying that Luo Shixin and Qin Qiong soldiers entered Nanyang, and ordered me to return immediately to help."

Gao Shilian glanced at it, and persuaded: "Your Highness, this is already the tenth imperial edict. If His Highness ignores it, it will definitely arouse the suspicion of the Holy One, and the loss outweighs the gain."

"But I have already sent [-] troops back to Nanyang, and Xiaogong has [-] troops. Do you think this is not enough?" Li Shimin asked with a frown.

Gao Shilian sighed, "Please forgive me, the Holy Majesty has been frightened by Luo Shixin now, and the Holy Majesty will definitely not feel safe because of the [-] troops. Moreover, this involves the attitude of His Highness. If His Highness does not go back, even if he sends [-] troops Hundreds of thousands are the same, disobedience to the holy order."

Li Shimin frowned unceasingly, his father ordered him to retreat back immediately, firstly, his father had no confidence in Li Xiaogong's [-] troops, and secondly, he was worried that he would smash these troops in Luoyang.

"If the army is withdrawn immediately according to the emperor's intention, it proves that our Luoyang campaign ended in failure."

Li Shimin's eyes revealed unwillingness and worry that could not be concealed. He tried his best to promote this battle, and even yelled at his elder brother in front of his father, which made his father faint.

During the Battle of Guanzhong, because he was unable to enter Guanzhong, leading all the elites of the Tang Dynasty, Guanzhong fell. If he returns without success this time, his military power will definitely be affected.

Gao Shilian understood Li Shimin's helplessness, but after weighing the pros and cons, he still felt that Liu Wenjing was right, Xiangyang and the army were the most important, and nothing else was important, and it also involved Li Shimin's attitude, which was extremely important to Li Shimin's future.

"Your Highness, if you can't defeat Luoyang, it's just a matter of face, but if your Highness doesn't withdraw the army in time and the entire army is wiped out, or if Nanyang falls, then it's not as simple as Sheng Yu's suspicion. Which is more important, Your Highness It should be very clear that we should not only prevent the prince from using this matter to make a fuss, but also consider the interests of the Tang Dynasty." Speaking of this, Gao Shilian said solemnly: "Once Nanyang and Xiyang fall, our army will be reduced to a single army. It is said that even Xiangyang will be lost due to lack of soldiers, if Jingxiang is lost, what is left of the Tang Dynasty? Even if His Highness wins the crown prince in the end, what's the point?"

Gao Shilian was a little disappointed by Li Shimin's immature performance of putting aside the country's righteousness for his own selfishness. In this regard, Li Jiancheng has done a good job. When personal interests and national interests conflict, Li Jiancheng does not hesitate to abandon his personal interests , This is the wisdom and tolerance that politicians should possess.

Li Shimin met Gao Shilian's disappointing gaze, and was also shocked, knowing that his stubborn opinion made Gao Shilian dissatisfied. If everyone regarded him as an independent husband who regarded the country's interests as nothing, sooner or later his subordinates would leave in disappointment.

He walked to the tent door, and couldn't help but glance outside the tent again. Luoyang City was clearly visible in the distance, which made him sigh, and after a moment of silence, he finally gave the order, "Send me the order...!"

Before Li Shimin finished speaking, another voice from a soldier came from outside the door: "His Royal Highness! General Hou has urgent matters to see you."

"come in."

After a while, Hou Junji walked in quickly, followed by another person, Li Shimin glanced at the person next to Hou Junji, his eyes lit up, with a surprised expression on his face, he said enthusiastically: "So it's Brother Shitai! "

The person who came was Yun Dingxing's son Yun Shitai, he saluted Cao Cao respectfully: "Master Yun, see Your Highness."

"Please sit down!" After Li Shimin waited for Yun Shitai to take his seat, he said with a smile: "Brother Shitai ventured out of Luoyang, what's the matter?"

Yun Shitai glanced around, and saw Li Shimin nodded slightly, knowing that this was Li Shimin's confidant, he smiled slightly and said: "Father ordered me to help His Highness take Luoyang."

"Oh?" Li Shimin cheered up, and quickly asked, "What can General Yun do?"

Yun Shitai took out two letters from his bosom and handed them to Li Shimin: "This is a letter from my father and General Yin, Your Highness will know it at a glance."

Li Shimin took the letter and read it again, his eyes slowly lit up, and said with great joy, "But it's true?"

Yun Shitai nodded: "The officers and men of the Zheng Army in Luoyang City have launched several rebellions. Although they were all extinguished by Wang Shichong, the people in the city were panicked. The family members were imprisoned in the palace as hostages, but Wang Shichong only gave these people one meal a day. Many people died of illness and starvation in the palace. Hate, without reverence and loyalty, my father thought the time had come."

This news made Li Shimin very excited, and it also means that he still has a chance to break the city. He saw that Yin Kaishan's handwriting and codes matched, but he knew that Yun Dingxing was an old fox, so it was hard to believe , Li Shimin asked quietly: "Wang Shichong is so well-defended, how did brother Shitai get out of the city?"

Yun Shitai realized that Li Shimin didn't trust him very much, and quickly explained: "My father quelled several rebellions for Wang Shichong, and won Wang Shichong's trust. Now he leads two thousand soldiers under his command to take charge of the Luoshui defense in Luoyang City. Xiancheng, please cooperate with Your Highness."

Li Shimin nodded, "I'll make arrangements, and I'll talk to you later."

Li Shimin ordered someone to send Yun Shitai down to rest, then he turned around and asked the smiling Gao Shilian, "Sir, do you think it's true?"

Gao Shilian smiled slightly, "Yun Dingxing and his son are included in Yang Tong's must-kill list. Once Luoyang is destroyed by the Sui Dynasty, the Yun family will be executed for their crimes. In fact, Yun Dingxing has no choice but to surrender the city to the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, He hopes that Datang will break through Luoyang more than we do so that he can escape from Luoyang!"

Gao Shilian's words made Li Shimin suddenly realize, and his eyes couldn't hold back the excitement. Tonight is when the city of Luoyang will be broken. He has been waiting for this moment for a long time. It is also a great achievement to chop off Wang Shichong's head and then calmly return to Xiangyang. .

For one night, he can afford it.

(End of this chapter)