First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 59
57. Chaos in Guanzhong
Li Shimin led the army alone as he wished, acted vigorously, immediately ordered Liu Hongji as the vanguard, set off overnight, went straight to Longmen, looking for a place to cross the river, and led the troops from the right leader's mansion to set off early the next morning.

When Gao Chong came to Longmen with the army, Liu Hongji had collected ships at a place called Liangshan, laid a pontoon bridge, and crossed the river first, guarding the river.

In Hedong County, Qu Tutong stationed [-] troops in Yongji, guarding Yingcheng, with one post at three steps and one sentry at five steps.

Hearing that only Li Shimin's partial division arrived at Hedong, Qu Tutong suddenly changed color after thinking about it.

"No, Li Yuan intends to go straight to Chang'an." The veteran Qu Tutong had a serious expression on his face, feeling that it was very difficult.

Jun Cheng Yaojun Su is a good general. He immediately understood what he said, and he was also a little worried, "I heard that since Bandit Li made a rebellion, there have been more and more soldiers and horses. If soldiers come to Chang'an City, the guards of Chang'an City will not be seen for a long time. After war, it may be difficult to hold on."

This is what Qu Tutong worried about, "When Song Laosheng and I left Chang'an, we took away [-] elite soldiers. Now there are not many soldiers in Chang'an. If Li Yuan's army arrives, Chang'an will be in danger."

After saying that, Qu Tutong also sighed, feeling a little bit more than he could do, "Moreover, it is said that Li Yuan's daughter and her younger brother Li Shentong have rebelled in E County, and Li Yuan's son-in-law Duan Lun has also rebelled in Lantian, supporting the army. There are tens of thousands of people, and now Guanzhong is full of rebels."

Lord Yao was so angry that his teeth itched when he heard the words, he beat the wall with his hands, "Rebellious ministers and thieves will not die well".

"For the current plan, the only way is to quickly defeat Li Shimin's troops, and then march into Guanzhong to defeat them one by one," Qu Tutong said, frowning.

"The last general will go", Yao Junsu asked for battle immediately after hearing the words, "After all, Li Shimin is young, the last general leads the troops to go, and while his foothold is not stable, attack him overnight, or he may be broken."

Yao Junsu is also Yang Guang's personal guard. Unlike Gao Deru, Yao Junsu has real skills, has repeatedly made military exploits and is loyal.

Qu Tutong hesitated for a moment when he heard the words, "Night attack is fine, but you can't go, let Hu Yalang go with Sang Xian, and you stay in the city to take charge of the overall situation."

"Preside over the overall situation?" Yao Junsu was startled, "General?"

Qu Tutong nodded, "I personally led [-] soldiers and horses, left Lantian from Wuguan, returned to rescue Chang'an, and looked for opportunities to destroy the bandits."

Seeing that Yao Junsu was a little worried, Qu Tutong continued to order: "Li Shimin's soldiers are no more than [-]. If you stick to the city, you will be safe."

Yao Junsu nodded when he heard the words, "It's just that Guanzhong is in chaos, and the general's lone army has gone deep...".

Qu Tutong tapped a place on the map with his fingers, "We are not alone. Tongguan is still in our hands, and Tongguan guard Liu Gang is still defending. As long as the soldiers are fast, we can quickly leave Lantian and join forces with Liu Gang, and the situation may be opened." .

Hearing what Qu Tutong said, Yao Junsu didn't say anything more.

That night, Qu Tutong led [-] soldiers and horses quietly out of the city from the other side, heading straight for Wuguan.

On the other side, in the camp of the Tang army, in the tent of the Chinese army, looking at the map in front of him, Li Shimin suddenly felt that it was a bit "boring" for him to lead an army alone in this river east.

And Gao Chong was promoting his clear tea with Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling. Gao Chong couldn't accept the tea with onion, ginger and pepper, so he ordered someone to find some dried tea leaves and brew them directly with boiling water. Although it is bitter, it is slightly better than the boiled tea with various condiments.

"It's a pity that the season is over now. I'll get the young tea buds when spring starts next year, and I'll fry them in an iron pan. You'll definitely like the taste of Xuanling." Gao Chong tsk-tsk sounded as he shook the muddy tea in his hand.

This made Changsun Wuji very curious, "Why don't I like Xuanling alone?"

Gao Chong was taken aback, looked at Changsun Wuji's plump and round belly, and said directly: "This tea is simple and fragrant, fresh and elegant, and it can also remove oil and fat when you drink it. Soup".

These words made Changsun Wuji so angry that his belly swelled up, "You mean I'm vulgar and obese?"

Fang Xuanling laughed out loud, "You have offended the auxiliary machine."

"Did you offend?" Gao Chong pretended to be shocked, and then sighed regretfully: "That's a pity for tomorrow's beggar chicken."

Changsun Wuji's eyes lit up, and a smile suddenly appeared on his chubby face, "Xuanling joked, how could he be offended, who knows that I and Youzhi are the best friends."

Fang Xuanling couldn't help but laugh seeing these two people acting like this, she just found it funny.

It was only after Gao Chong came into contact with Changsun Wuji that he knew that this guy was fat and chubby, and his bulging figure was really a result of eating.

Since the heavy rain last time, I made beggar chicken once when I was bored in my spare time. Changsun Wuji is addicted to eating. At this time, the cooking methods are nothing more than boiling, roasting, broiling, etc. Gao Chong casually showed his hand, it is The elder grandson Wuji was shocked.

"Why are you so happy?" Li Shimin opened the curtain and asked curiously, holding the roll of map in his hand.

Fang Xuanling paid the most attention to etiquette, he got up and saluted quickly, and repeated the funny story just now, Li Shimin couldn't help laughing, pointing at Gao Chong and scolding with a smile: "Well, you are so tall, how dare you tease my brother-in-law? Be careful if he goes to complain to my wife, then it will be difficult for me."

These words made Changsun Wuji feel a little embarrassed on his fat face, "Erlang, am I that kind of person".

Gao Chong also found it funny when he saw this. The original Li Shimin and the 20-year-old eldest grandson Wuji were so funny at this time, but he didn't know that after decades, these two people, who were emperors and generals, would still be a bit like they are today. as pure.

"This is the second son?" Fang Xuanling pointed to the map rolled up in Li Shimin's hand and asked curiously.

Speaking of this, Li Shimin suddenly felt a little upset, and spread out the map, "Suddenly felt that I really lost my head when I invited me to Hedong."

"Why did Erlang say that?" Changsun Wuji approached with a puzzled expression.

"Look, now my father's army has crossed the river from Hukou and is heading straight for Chang'an, and my third sister and cousin Li Shentong have also raised troops in E County, and my fourth brother-in-law Duan Lun has raised troops in Lantian, with nearly [-] troops. It can be said that Guanzhong is very lively, but we are nesting here in the east of the river, isn't it boring?"

Li Shimin kept pointing to several places on the map and said, Gao Chong looked at them one by one, good guy, the Li family has blossomed everywhere, raised troops everywhere, and surrounded Chang'an. Is it a coincidence or premeditated? I don't know.

The three of them also looked at each other in dismay when they heard the words, Li Er was a full-fledged militant, there was no doubt about it, Gao Chong added another label to Li Er.

"Second Young Master, you can't say that," Fang Xuanling hesitated, "After all, only if we keep an eye on Hedong here, can Duke Tang's army go west with confidence."

Changsun Wuji also nodded straightly, and said worriedly: "The safety of the rear of the army depends entirely on me, Erlang should not act impulsively."

(End of this chapter)