Chapter 3387: Peace of mind
Upon hearing this, Crown Princess Su breathed a sigh of relief, but the doubts in her heart still did not dissipate, and she asked: "Then why did Your Highness summon Duke Wei again?"
The Duke of Wei, Li Jing, is now responsible for training the six leaders of the East Palace. In fact, he has become the commander of the six leaders of the East Palace. Li Jing usually does not care about political affairs. This time, the prince summoned him to the palace. Isn't it because the matter is important and the situation is dangerous, so it is necessary to use the last resources of the East Palace. Use force to deal with the situation?
Li Chengqian nodded and said: "Everything will be done if you are prepared, and if you are not prepared, it will be ruined. After anything happens, you must prepare for the worst in order to achieve the best results. The reason for summoning Wei Gong is just because Gu relies on his military ability. , just to make some adjustments to the current world situation.”
Su Shi nodded, and after a long blessing, she retreated to the back hall.
Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, placed the teacup on top of it, and exhaled softly.
He moved from the East Palace to the Xingqing Palace to prevent anyone from plotting against the Tai Chi Palace. After the Xuanwu Gate broke in, he had no escape and was completely defeated. Therefore, after arriving at Xingqing Palace, he brought with him all his close confidants, and the imperial guards stayed in the palace overnight, almost isolating the inside and outside.
How do news from outside reach Xingqing Palace?
If it were just Goguryeo's meticulous work, it would be extremely difficult to achieve this. And if it is Guanlong or the clan, it will be easy...
After a while, the chamberlain came to report that the Duke of Wei, Li Jing, had arrived outside the palace to ask for an audience.
Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment and said hurriedly: "Xuan!"
When Li Jing, who was dressed in military uniform and had white beard and hair, quickly entered the hall and paid homage, Li Chengqian quickly got up and stepped forward to help him up. He said curiously: "I just sent someone to your mansion, and I haven't even had time to drink a cup of tea. Why did Duke Wei come so quickly?”
Li Jing said: "The old minister heard the rumors in the city and was worried, so he wanted to enter the palace to see His Highness. He happened to arrive outside the palace and met the chamberlain who was delivering the order."
Li Chengqian nodded: "Come on, come on, sit down and talk."
He moved Li Jing to his seat and asked the waiter to serve him tea. Li Jing thanked him.
The monarch and his ministers took a sip of tea. Li Jing put down the tea cup, looked at Li Chengqian, and asked in a deep voice: "When I got up early this morning, I heard the rumors in Chang'an City and felt deeply bad, so I rushed to see His Highness. I dare to ask. Your Majesty, is it true or false that His Majesty fell off his horse and was injured?”
Now that Li Jing asked and the matter had reached this stage, Li Chengqian no longer had any need to conceal it. He nodded and said: "It's absolutely true! It's just that this matter is too important. I got the news before and didn't notify Duke Wei. I hope that Duke Wei will take care of him." .”
Li Jing quickly waved his hand: "How can an old minister be so ignorant of propriety?"
It is not an exaggeration to say that His Majesty Li Er fell from his horse in front of the battle and was injured. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is a huge event. Naturally, this kind of news is covered up as much as possible. The less people know about it, the less the risk of leakage. Otherwise, once it spreads, Just like the current situation, the situation suddenly became tense, and people in Chang'an City were panicked. If they were not careful, the situation would collapse.
Sighing, Li Jing said: "Although I did not fight alongside your Majesty back then, I have always admired your majesty's bravery and strategy. It's just that time has passed, and even a proud man like your majesty will inevitably become a hero. Back then, your majesty led three thousand black armors. How majestic it is to defeat a hundred thousand enemy troops at Hulao Pass, and to take the head of a general in the midst of the chaos..."
I lament that His Majesty Li Er has lost his glory, and I also miss the days when I was so heroic and invincible in the world. I can only lament that all the heroes of the past are now old and no longer as brave as they used to be.
After sighing with emotion, he asked again: "Your Highness summons the old ministers, what are your instructions?"
Li Chengqian held the tea cup and said: "The situation in Chang'an City is urgent now. The news of the father's injury has spread throughout the world, so there must be someone with bad intentions. If we can't prevent those with ulterior motives from taking the opportunity to cause chaos, the defense of Chang'an City must be strengthened, and Duke Wei is summoned. , I just want to ask, the situation has changed, the city defense is critical, can the six soldiers of the East Palace stand up to the battle? "
To this day, it is absolutely impossible to say that he is not panicking at all.
The Eastern Expedition mobilized most of the troops in Guanzhong. Although various troops still have a few troops stationed here and there, the troops are too empty. Moreover, once chaos arises, it is still unclear where these troops are headed. How can we place high hopes?
The Guanlong clan has always had a tradition of raising private soldiers, and every household has a force that cannot be underestimated. Many servants who usually look like bankers, servants, and grooms, once armed, become a large army. With so many people together, it is enough to form an army of more than 10,000 people.
If they break into the city, who can resist?
The Right Guards are absolutely loyal, but the Left Guards across the wall are fully staffed and have strong troops. Once something changes, the Right Guards may not even be able to stop the Xuanwu Gate. How can they wipe out the rebels and help the country?
The most loyal force is only Donggong Liuli.
However, Donggong Liuliu had always been controlled by his father. Only a few days after he, the crown prince, took over, everything was cleaned up and down, and Donggong's confidants were placed. If he had some combat power in the event of a war, could it be used as a basis? ?
He was really unsure.
Hearing this, Li Jing stroked his snow-white beard and said proudly: "The world is so big that there are so many famous generals, but when it comes to military training, there are only a handful of people who can compare with the veterans! Your Highness, you can rest assured. The six rates in the East Palace are high and low. We are all loyal to His Highness, and we have already formed a fighting force. Once a battle comes, the rebels and bandits will be completely defeated!”
Li Chengqian immediately breathed a long sigh of relief and praised: "Gong Wei is known to the world as the 'God of War', and his military training skills are unparalleled in the world. With Duke Wei alone to help me, I can rest easy!"
He personally poured tea for Li Jing and said with a wry smile: "Yesterday I got the news that my father was injured, so I didn't sleep all night. When I got up this morning, I heard a lot of rumors about Chang'an City and realized that all the forces were ready to make a move. I was really worried. , I am afraid that I will betray my father's trust, causing the country to be shaken, the country to be unstable, and the people of Li to be in dire straits. Now with the words of Duke Wei, I can put down my fear. "
Who in the government and the public is dissatisfied with Li Jing's military prowess? He had also made great contributions to the founding of the Tang Dynasty. The reason why he was repeatedly feared by his father and ended up living in a secluded mansion was precisely because of his unparalleled ability to command troops.
As long as Li Jing said "foolproof", Li Chengqian would naturally believe it.
When Li Jing saw Li Chengqian pouring tea for him in person, he quickly stood up and thanked him. He was moved in his heart. When he heard Li Chengqian's words, he couldn't help but laugh and shook his head and said: "Your Highness is really overly worried. Although Chai Zhewei has some family inheritance, he brought him with him." The soldiers are somewhat capable, but if How can it be compared with the Duke of Yue? The reason why the Duke of Yue dared to lead his army to the west was because the half of the right guards he left was enough to suppress the left guards. Otherwise, even if the war in Hexi continued and Tuyuhun attacked the city, he would How can we worry about His Highness’s safety?”
Li Chengqian was shocked: "But there is only half of the right guard, less than 20,000, while the left guard is fully staffed, with strong soldiers and horses, and its strength is more than twice that of the right guard. The Duke of Yue can only sit at Xuanwu Gate. , now he is just a deputy general guarding... Duke Wei is actually so optimistic?”
There's something incredible about him.
No matter how strong the Right Guard was, there was only half of it left, and the deputy general commanded the army. In Li Jing's eyes, it was actually better than the full Zuen Guard, which was commanded by Chai Zhewei himself?
But Li Jing's military ability is unparalleled in the world. He said that half of the Youtun Guards are stronger, but it seems that there is no point in flattering...
Li Jing said with emotion: "The power of firearms has long shocked the world. When the Yue soldiers came out of Baidao and marched across Mobei to overthrow Xue Yantuo, they relied on the power of firearms. Now they defeated Tuyuhun in the battle of Bugu. It is also the power of firearms. , even when the Arabs threw away their helmets and armor and ran into wolves under Gongyue City, they still relied on firearms! It can be seen that firearms will inevitably become the dominant force in wars in the future and help the emperor. The Chinese army wiped out the whole world, and the Youtun Guards were the first army in the world to use firearms as their main combat equipment. It is conceivable that the Yue Guogong led half of the Youtun Guards to defeat them in one battle. With 70,000 to 80,000 Tuyu Hun Jing cavalry, how can the remaining half of the Right Tun Guards not be able to defeat the Zuo Tun Guards? Or does His Highness think that the Zuo Tun Guards are stronger than the 7 to 80,000 Tugu Hun Jing cavalry?”
Seeing Li Chengqian's relieved expression, Li Jing added: "And His Highness has underestimated Gao Kan. Not only His Highness, but now both the military and political parties of the Tang Dynasty, as well as the government and the public, have underestimated this person! In the opinion of this veteran, this person His talent was outstanding and he had the potential to be a famous general! Pei Xingjian had to take him with him when Duke Yue went to the west, but he didn't. By entrusting the important task of guarding the Xuanwu Gate to Cheng Wuting, who has always followed him every step of the way, we can see Gao Kan's status in the eyes of the Duke of Yue. Your Highness, if we talk about other abilities, there may be someone in the court who can compete with the Duke of Yue. But when it comes to his ability to recognize people, no one in the government or the public can surpass him.”
When he mentioned Fang Jun's ability to recognize and employ people, Li Chengqian nodded repeatedly, deeply impressed by him. (End of chapter)