Chapter 3567: Defend
Li Jing looked solemn and said slowly: "In the fight for the world, how can we gain or lose in one city or one pool? Even the Tai Chi Palace, the symbol of imperial power, is the same! As long as the Sixth Prince of the East Palace is there, the prince will be there; the prince is there, and the world is Zhengshuo!" As long as this flag does not fall, there will be many people in the world Those who are not afraid of power and obey the law will definitely come back in time! And this Tai Chi Palace can delay the enemy's attack and severely damage the rebels, which is its value. Otherwise, there will be nothing but thousands of buildings and thousands of buildings. What’s the use?”
Qu Tuquan said in shame: "I am finally short-sighted. I just can't bear to part with this gorgeous palace, and I can't bear the center of the country to be destroyed in the flames of war. I act on my own initiative and don't know how to adapt."
"This is human nature. Not to mention you, even when I issued this order, my heart was in knots, lest I become a sinner for the ages... But the most important thing right now is to defeat the rebels and maintain the integrity of the world. This will allow King Qin’s army to arrive in Chang’an, and I will not hesitate to destroy ten Taiji Palaces as long as this rebellion can turn around!”
Li Jing looked determined and his eyebrows were raised.
He has lived for decades, seen a lot and experienced a lot. How could he not know that today he ordered gunpowder to be buried in the Taiji Palace, causing the destruction of countless beautiful palaces. In the future, some historians will surely record this incident in the history of history, and even denounce it. scold?
However, to be able to regain the favor of the prince from his loneliness and frustration, he would rather sacrifice his life's reputation to maintain the legitimacy of the prince, no matter what!
From a distance, Li Junxian came quickly with more than ten soldiers. When he got close, he left his soldiers dozens of steps away. He approached and saluted, "I don't know why Duke Wei has summoned me?" ”
Qu Tu said: "General, please step aside first and let us make arrangements."
The commander-in-chief of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" was ordered to assist the Beiya Imperial Army in guarding the Xuanwu Gate. At this moment, he was summoned by Prime Minister Li Jing to discuss important military matters. It would be better for him to avoid it.
Unexpectedly, Li Jing waved his hand and said: "No hurry, you have to listen and cooperate with General Li later."
"Here."
Qu Tuquan accepted the order, but he was suspicious in his heart. What could he do to help Li Junxian?
Li Jing had turned to look at Li Junxian and said in a deep voice: "How is your highness now?"
Li Junxian nodded and said: "His Royal Highness has evacuated to the inner gate together with the concubines, princes and princesses. Duke Guo has emptied the military camp inside the inner gate and temporarily resettled them. The conditions are a bit crude, but they are still safe."
Inside the Xuanwu Gate, there is an inner gate. The space between the two gates is similar to an urn city. There are countless houses built on both sides. Normally, it is the station of the Beiya Imperial Army to protect the Xuanwu Gate. At this moment, all the garrison troops were standing guard above and below the city, and it was just in time to clear out these buildings and resettle everyone in the palace.
Li Jing nodded and said slowly: "Previously, I advised the prince that if the situation is unfavorable, he should withdraw from Xuanwu Gate and rush west to Hexi with the Youtun Guards to seek the protection of Fang Jun and the Anxi Army, and then plan to counterattack Chang'an. But it has been rejected by the prince.”
Li Junxian was stunned for a moment, his expression heavy.
The prince is the lord of the East Palace and the crown prince of the country. Now he is ordered to supervise the country and is the king of the empire. As long as the prince is safe, no matter the six leaders of the East Palace or the people of the world, they can still fight to the death with the rebels and defend Zhengshuo; but if the prince is killed in battle, naturally everything will stop, and even the goal he is fighting for is no longer there, and he will fight for his life again. Beat him to death, why are you here?
He and Li Jing had the same view. Even if the Taiji Palace fell, it was not a desperate situation. As long as the prince was safe, he could make arrangements calmly. When His Majesty Li Er returned to the capital, he would have to wait for the prince to return anyway, right? As for whether to depose the prince later, it is up to His Majesty to decide, that is another matter.
But once the prince refuses to escape and vows to live and die with Taiji Palace, it will be troublesome...
Li Jing glanced at the snow-swaying Tai Chi Palace behind him, and whispered: "The prince is bound by the country, so there must be no accidents. At the critical moment, General Li was asked to take the country and the country as the top priority and escort the prince out of the Xuanwu Gate. Externally, It can be said that it is under the command of my commander, and I will bear the consequences. General Li, please!”
After saying this, he bowed and bowed to the ground.
Li Junxian was startled and hurriedly avoided, then returned the salute and gritted his teeth and said: "Why does Duke Wei need to do this? Although the outside world slanders the general as a royal eagle dog and a minion of the emperor, the general has always followed the words and deeds of a soldier. ! Please rest assured, Duke Wei, if the time comes for your life or death, I will escort the prince out of the palace, and I will do my best to protect the prince!"
The prince has made it clear that he will not withdraw from Taiji Palace. If he wants to take him away, he can only tie him up and escort him out of the palace...
In this way, although the starting point is correct, the consequences are really serious, which is why Li Jing said the words that he is responsible for. But even so, the pressure Li Junxian has to bear is heavier than the mountains, and the consequences are extremely unpredictable.
However, Li Junxian's response made him quite satisfied. He nodded and said: "The general has the style of a military general of the Tang Dynasty. I am very pleased with him!"
He turned to Qu Tuquan and said: "You guard Chengtianmen. Once Chengtianmen falls, you cannot fight to the death. You can lead your troops to withdraw to Jiademen, return to Neizhongmen to rest, and at the same time obey General Li. Once the situation changes, there is no way to resist. When the rebels attacked, he immediately assisted General Li in escorting the prince out of Xuanwu Gate, met up with Gao Kan, and then headed west to seek Fang Junzhi's protection."
As long as the prince can safely evacuate from Guanzhong, the long stretch of yellow sand in the west of the river is like a sea, which will be very beneficial to the fleeing army. If he writes a fast horse and gallops Gongyue City's famous Fang Jun and leads his army to respond, the prince will surely be safe.
As for how to act in the future, it is up to him to make arrangements...
Li Junxian also thought of this and said with concern: "If you keep the green hills, you won't have to worry about running out of firewood. Once the Tai Chi Palace cannot be defended, Duke Wei will evacuate with us."
But Li Jing shook his head and said calmly: "Anyone can withdraw, but I can't! If I can't lead the Sixth Army of the East Palace to stop the rebels, I will definitely be chased by the rebels one after another. At that time, the army will be defeated like a mountain, and His Royal Highness will be seriously injured." There is a risk of being captured in the army. Is it because of our ministers? As long as I am here, the rebels will pay ten times the price if they want to capture this Tai Chi Palace!"
People must have roots, and an army must have a soul. He, Li Jing, is the military married man of the sixth rank in the East Palace! With his abilities, achievements, and qualifications, everyone in the Six Rates will be dissatisfied. Even if the prince withdraws from Tai Chi Palace, as long as he, Li Jing, remains in charge, the Six Rates in the East Palace will not be in chaos.
If he also withdraws, the entire army will lose its backbone, morale will collapse instantly, and Tai Chi Palace will fall in an instant. By the time the prince is too late to retreat, or he is chased by the rebels and is defeated, won't all his efforts be in vain?
Li Junxian heard this and said in panic: "How could this happen? Duke Wei is a symbol of the Tang Dynasty's military, with unparalleled achievements and profound qualifications. He should accompany the prince to protect him. How could he be trapped in the army so easily and put his life in danger at every turn? ”
He really didn't expect that Li Jing had already prepared for the worst and had no intention of walking out of Tai Chi Palace alive...
Qu Tuquan on the side also changed his expression and said: "Commander, you must not do it! Although we are incompetent, we can still defend this Tai Chi Palace. The rebels want to occupy this place unless they step over our corpses! Please call on Commander Think about the overall situation,
Li Jing pondered for a moment, then sighed: "I ordered the defense line to shrink and retreat into the palace, relying on the palace and palaces to gradually resist. At one time, it delayed time, and at the other time, the remaining enemies suffered heavy losses... However, in the final analysis, this magnificent palace is about to be burned down. , destroyed once, the center of the empire suffered a war Someone must be held responsible for the fire. I have never done anything that would be unworthy of my family and country. However, if I am not safe at this time, I will be scolded by the world. How can I bear this crime? No matter life or death, to prove innocence.”
The reason why he has made great achievements in his life but has been depressed, and even though he has talents given by nature, he has never been able to express his ambitions vividly and heartily. The biggest problem is that he has no persistence and no integrity.
Emperor Gaozu used him very much back then, and he served him before Jin Yang launched his army. He could be regarded as a minister of Qiandi. He had made the contribution of following the dragon, and he should have risen to the top and displayed his ambitions. However, after the founding of the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty Li Er, who was the King of Qin at any time, came out of Hulao and defeated Wang Shichong. He was closely attracted by the King of Qin and obeyed his command.
If so, that's it. His Majesty Li Er has a broad mind and is open to all rivers. He can even reuse the humerus of Prince Yin such as Wei Zheng, let alone Li Jing?
However, on the eve of the "Xuanwumen Incident", he did not want to intervene in the feud between his brothers, so he stayed on the sidelines. In the end, His Majesty Li Er became very dissatisfied with him and became quite suspicious...
It is said that a loyal minister will not serve two masters, but he has never been loyal to the same master in his life. Therefore, even though he has made great achievements in the world, he has never had the corresponding reputation. Now that he is an old man and dying, should he still blame the prince for destroying the Tai Chi Palace and then follow him to show his loyalty?
He doesn't want to.
If a soldier can die in the Tai Chi Palace with integrity throughout his life, it will be better than lingering on the sick bed in the future and being rejected by his children and grandchildren... (End of Chapter)