Datang: What's wrong with my fief being a billion points larger?

Chapter 206 Du Ruhui made a plan and Li Shimin accepted the challenge!
What made Wei Zheng sad was how Li Shimin lost his mind in dealing with Li Yuanji's affairs. Why was he so anxious to take action against Li Yuanji?
In Wei Zheng's eyes, as long as a few years passed, Li Shimin only needed to be patient for two or three years and appease Li Yuanji. Then it would be extremely easy to deal with Li Yuanji after two or three years.

But Li Shimin chose such a sensitive period. Did he feel that the Tang Dynasty was too stable or that he would be able to directly seize power over the world if his mutiny was successful?

Li Shimin listened to Wei Zheng's words without responding. At this moment, he could no longer listen to these words in his heart. In fact, Wei Zheng's words were too straightforward, and he even wanted to kill Wei Zheng.

Li Yuanji had agreed to the edict issued in Li Yuan's name. Wei Zheng's words were undoubtedly a slap in the face, like slapping him on the left cheek and then on the right cheek.

But this idea was soon suppressed by Li Shimin. What worried him more now was the actions taken by Li Yuanji.

When he first heard the news, he was shocked. He really didn't expect that Li Yuanji would be so powerful. He was so powerful that he was a little envious. He couldn't figure it out. Why? What on earth did Li Yuanji rely on?

He just fled from Chang'an to Lingnan with no more than 20,000 soldiers. After they arrived in Lingnan, except for a few provocative natives who had tried to deal with Li Yuanji, Feng Ang surrendered directly, and Tan Dian also surrendered, and subsequent states also surrendered. Then, inexplicably, Li Yuanji's power grew stronger and stronger.

He wanted to know how Li Yuanji first destroyed Ryukyu, then Linyi, and then Luzon and Zhenla. He also wanted to know how Li Yuanji developed Lingnan so well.

Looking around now, Li Yuanji's fiefdom has become so large. When this news reached him, Li Shimin couldn't believe it at all. He conquered such a large fiefdom in just two and a half years. In a few years, would it be even larger than his Tang Dynasty?
Especially now, with 300,000 elite soldiers. From not believing it at first to verifying it from all sides, he had to believe it. Li Shimin didn't know how many times he had been shocked by Li Yuanji, and he didn't know how many times he had disbelieved it. He only knew that Li Yuanji was now incredibly strong and not as weak as he thought.

Especially this time when Li Yuanji raised the slogan of accepting the imperial edict and returning to Chang'an, six countries actually sent troops to support Li Yuanji. Li Shimin almost vomited blood. He did not care about the strength of these six countries. In his eyes, the troops sent by the six countries could not pose any threat.

And the most important point is Li Yuanji. As long as Li Yuanji is suppressed, the armies of the six countries will naturally retreat.

What he couldn't understand was that Li Yuanji's influence was so great that the six countries would follow him in everything he did. He already knew about Japan and thought it was normal. He could also understand that Pyu was facing a direct threat from Li Yuanji.

As for Funan and Tangming, they were completely surrounded by Li Yuanji. Although these two countries were called countries, what was the difference between them and Li Yuanji's fiefdom in the eyes of Li Shimin?
But Li Shimin couldn't figure out what Gaoda and Tubo were up to. Especially Gaoda, which was so far away and had to unite its vassal states to send troops, how could Li Yuanji get so many small countries to help?
Think about his Tang Dynasty. The Turks were invading, Tuyuhun was dishonest and often invaded, not to mention Goguryeo. Now that something like this has happened, there are only a few scattered small countries supporting it, and it's just verbal support at that.

Li Shimin was even more upset because his influence was not as great as Li Yuanji's, who directly sent troops to support him. This was very difficult for Li Shimin to accept.

Now Wei Zheng asked him to appease Li Yuanji, but Li Shimin was very unwilling. He was extremely unwilling. He just wanted to have a battle with Li Yuanji to let the people of the world see that he, Li Shimin, was the god of war of the Tang Dynasty, and that he, Li Yuanji, was destined not to be his opponent. In this way, he would shock people inside and outside the Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin thought for a long time, looked at the people below, opened his eyes and spoke slowly.

"Now the King of Qi is threatening the Tang Dynasty. As a great country, how can the Tang Dynasty be frightened by the King of Qi's 300,000 troops! The so-called million-strong army is just bragging. If the King of Qi can mobilize a million troops, the Tang Dynasty can also mobilize millions of troops!
This time, we must not retreat. If we retreat, how will the world view the Tang Dynasty in the future? How will the surrounding countries view the Tang Dynasty?
The Tang Dynasty couldn't even defeat one of its vassal states and was thinking of retreating. How could the Tang Dynasty have the face to call itself a great power!

If war breaks out in the Tang Dynasty, then so be it. This time, the worst that can happen is that we can just destroy it and rebuild it. As long as the King of Qi is destroyed, the world can return to stability!
You should know these principles. Tang Dynasty has no place to retreat!"

Li Shimin's words shocked everyone, and Wei Zheng even opened his eyes wide and looked at Li Shimin. The aura displayed by Li Shimin at this moment was indeed full of kingly and hegemonic spirit, but Wei Zheng immediately closed his eyes and didn't want to look anymore.

After Fang Xuanling and the others came to their senses, they were not happy at all, but rather serious. Even Changsun Wuji frowned at this moment, but in the end it was Changsun Wuji who stood up.

"Prince, if we have to fight a war with the King of Qi now, how should we fight? Most of our army is concentrated in the north to guard against the Turks. Now that the main force of the Turks has disappeared, they may launch a large-scale attack at any time. If we withdraw the army from the north to deal with the King of Qi, how should the Turks respond?

Moreover, we need to be on guard against Li Yi of Jingzhou, Li Yuan of Youzhou, and Li Xiaochang of Lizhou. Once these people rebel, Chang'an will be in danger of collapse.

At present, we can only muster an army of more than 200,000 people in various parts of the south. Now the King of Qi is gathering troops in Guizhou and Rongzhou. 300,000 elite troops have begun to move towards Shaozhou, and 100,000 navy are also gathering in Chaozhou.

In addition, the northern areas of Yaozhou and Rongzhou will also face the attack of the King of Qi. The armies of the five countries of Tubo, Gaoda, Pyu, Tangming and Funan are all gathering towards the border of Yaozhou, threatening the land of Shu.

If we want to fight a war with the King of Qi, we must gather the army of the north. Otherwise, if we cannot stop the King of Qi's army once the war starts, all parts of the Tang Dynasty will probably rise up in arms, and all the major families will probably change their sides again. Everything the prince has done before will probably be in vain."

Zhang Sun Wuji was filled with anger and helplessness. Did he hate Li Yuanji? He wanted to kill Li Yuanji right now, but the energy that Li Yuanji had unleashed this time was too great. If the Tang Dynasty was given two or three years, even just two years, it would be enough.

With this amount of time, even if what is happening now continues to happen, the Tang Dynasty will definitely fight Li Yuanji to the end and decide the outcome completely.

But at this point in time, Li Shimin planned to become emperor next year, the Turks have invaded the border, Tuyuhun is eyeing him covetously, many of Li Jiancheng's forces have not been completely resolved, Li Shimin's support for the aristocratic families has not been fully formed, and all places have not yet fully accepted the promotion of the new court.

It was during this period that Li Yuanji chose to lead his army to attack. Even though Changsun Wuji hated Li Yuanji, he had to admire that he had chosen the right time and had completely seized the moment when they were the weakest.

Looking around, they are now surrounded by enemies. Once the war goes wrong, more people will start to have other thoughts. If those originally neutral factions return to neutrality again and no longer support Li Shimin, they will be in even greater trouble then.

Changsun Wuji was the most qualified person to say these words because of his relationship with Li Shimin, making him the best candidate.

Thinking about the time when he issued the imperial edict to ask Li Yuanji to return to Chang'an, Changsun Wuji wanted to slap himself a few times. If this hadn't happened, there wouldn't be so many troubles now, one after another.

At the same time, Changsun Wuji was also glad that this time Li Yuanji's strength was exposed, and everyone in the Tang Dynasty would be concerned. Li Shimin would be even more wary of Li Yuanji, and he would not need to persuade Li Shimin. Li Shimin would definitely not allow such a powerful King of Qi to continue to exist.

Changsun Wuji paused for a moment and continued speaking.

“Prince, now we have no choice but to be patient. We only need to be patient for a while. When the Crown Prince integrates the Tang Dynasty and becomes more powerful, all the humiliation we have suffered now can be returned to the King of Qi doubled.

By then, whether it is the King of Qi, the Turks, Tuyuhun, or the six countries that sent troops, they will all be pacified. Who in the Tang Dynasty and around the Tang Dynasty will not be afraid of the prince? Who will not be afraid of the Tang Dynasty? In ancient times, Goujian slept on firewood and tasted gall. Now the prince endures humiliation for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. He will surely become an emperor of all ages. When the Tang Dynasty is prosperous, who in the world will not praise the prince? "

Changsun Wuji advised Li Shimin and kept painting a rosy picture of the future for him, just to tell Li Shimin that the short-term tolerance was only to make himself stronger, and then he would return the humiliation he was suffering now double.

Changsun Wuji was also letting Li Shimin know that everyone, including Li Yuanji, would be dead in the future, so there was no need to get angry and fight with these dead people.

After Zhangsun Wuji finished speaking, Fang Xuanling immediately said: "Prince, the world is in such a state now, you should be patient for a while, and when you become strong in the future, you will be able to avenge today's shame.

What the Crown Prince should do now is to pacify all parts of the Tang Dynasty as quickly as possible. No more wars should occur, especially in the north. If our army is always pinned down in the north, then we will still have no effective way to contain the King of Qi."

Li Shimin looked at the few people with red eyes, his hands clenched into fists, his teeth clenched, his chest heaving, and his breathing becoming heavier.

At this moment, Du Ruhui's voice came quietly.

“Prince, you can issue another decree, saying that the previous decree was wrong and that there was a traitor at work. Now that the traitor has been executed, you can send his head to the King of Qi. At the same time, secretly send someone to the King of Qi to say that the King is willing to give him some benefits.

If the King of Qi returns, everyone will be happy and the face of the Tang Dynasty will be preserved. If the King of Qi is unwilling, the prince may as well send someone to tell the King of Qi directly that if they really want to fight, then the northern land will be given to the Turks and Tuyuhun, and the Tang Dynasty will move its capital and swear to destroy the King of Qi!
As for the lost northern land, after destroying the King of Qi and having a foundation for the development of Lingnan, we can then destroy the Turks and Tuyuhun!

At the same time, he told the King of Qi that the prince had promised the aristocratic families that as long as they supported the destruction of the King of Qi, most of everything in Lingnan would be distributed among those aristocratic families.

In this case, the King of Qi will definitely withdraw his troops!
If the prince is interested, I am willing to go to Lingnan and handle this matter for him."

Li Shimin listened to Du Ruhui's words and looked at him with wide eyes, his eyes full of disbelief and shock. Not only Li Shimin, but also Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji and others were all extremely horrified.

After a moment, Wei Zheng looked at Li Shimin and said, "Prince, I object! No matter how much the Crown Prince and the King of Qi fight, this is an internal battle of the Tang Dynasty. No matter who wins, the Tang Dynasty is still the Tang Dynasty!
But if what Du Ruhui said is true, once the Turks and Tuyuhun are placed within the territory of the Tang Dynasty and given the northern land, the Tang Dynasty will really be in danger of collapse, and by then the Tang Dynasty will no longer exist!
Once you lose the hearts of the people, it will be difficult to regain them!

Prince, Du Ruhui is spreading lies to confuse the people. I ask you to kill Du Ruhui to deter those with ulterior motives!"

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji did not say anything. Silence was the best answer. These people were from the Prince of Qin's Palace.

Li Shimin looked at Du Ruhui, and after a while he spoke slowly.

"Keming, I know exactly what kind of person you are. You probably haven't finished what you want to say yet, right? Let's finish it together."

Wei Zheng was also shocked at this time. He looked at Li Shimin, and then stared at Du Ruhui intently.

Du Ruhui smiled at this moment: "The one who understands me is the prince."

“I have indeed not finished speaking. I only said this to the King of Qi. In order to prevent the King of Qi from spreading the news and affecting the reputation of the Crown Prince, all of this came from my mouth.

And while we are telling the King of Qi all this, we are going to evacuate the troops from Daizhou and other places to Chang'an to ensure the safety of Chang'an, and then find the main force of the Turks and send out troops again?
The King of Qi is unaware of the reason for this withdrawal. We want to use this information gap to tell the King of Qi that we are already making preparations. He will surely agree then, and the crisis can be resolved.

"I understand what Xuancheng said. As a Han Chinese, how can I give the land of the Tang Dynasty to foreigners?"

After Du Ruhui explained the situation clearly, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but Wei Zheng's voice was heard again.

"What if the King of Qi still doesn't want to? If we really start a fight, then everything will be over!"

Du Ruhui smiled when he heard this.

"What Xuancheng said must also be considered, but there is no need to worry. As long as the previous edict is rejected, if the King of Qi is unwilling, the prince can issue an edict to the world. The Turks invaded the Tang Dynasty, and the court wanted to send troops to destroy the Turks, but the King of Qi ignored the interests of the country and insisted on his own way.

They even colluded with foreign races such as the Turks and plotted against the Tang Dynasty. When the time came, a decree would be issued to all directions, requiring all Han people and citizens of the Tang Dynasty to resist foreign invasion. At the same time, the prince only needed to promise some benefits, and everyone in the world would be willing.

What you pay now can be gradually recovered later when the crisis is resolved.

In short, as long as the current edict of the King of Qi is abolished, it is not terrible. What is terrible is the edict in the hands of the King of Qi, which represents the legitimacy of the King of Qi!"

After hearing this, Li Shimin seemed extremely excited. If he had to give in to Li Yuanji, he would really be willing to fight with Li Yuanji first. Now, in his eyes, what Du Ruhui said had a very high chance of success.

If successful, not only would Li Yuanji be forced to withdraw his troops, but his face and that of the Tang Dynasty would also be saved.

What if Li Yuanji did not withdraw his troops and Du Ruhui's plan failed?
In Li Shimin's eyes, if he failed, the worst that could happen would be a war. He would gather the troops in the north and fight a big battle with Li Yuanji. By then, Li Yuanji would be considered a person who colluded with foreign races. He would be in the interests of the country, so he did not think he would lose!

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(End of this chapter)