Chapter 220 I'd rather not
The 130,000 infantry-based teams responded to Turkic cavalry with more than 220,000 troops. The gap between the forces and the troops was so huge. How disgraced Chen Sangliang was, the psychological pressure he was under was still beyond imagination. Even if the Sui army had a stronger formation than the enemy and was in a narrow battlefield that was beneficial to the Sui army. Even if he had a few cards in his hand that had not been played yet, Chen Yingliang was still as if he was carrying Mount Tai, walking on thin ice, and did not dare to be relaxed or slackened.
This huge pressure like a mountain of Tai suddenly appeared on Li Yuan again. The source of this pressure was the letter written by Shibi Khan that Hou Junji brought back for no reason. No matter how wise our Ambassador Li Yuan was, he could not understand why Shibi Khan was staring at him at this deadly moment. No matter how cunning he was, he was holding this letter, and he was like holding a red charcoal. He dared not throw it away or keep it, and he dared not read or destroy it. He didn't know what to do.
Fortunately, the Turkish mail cavalry's action to cover Hou Junji's return to the team was very successful. No one discovered that Hou Junji was returning to Li Yuan from the Turkic army. Li Yuan had no need to worry about being discovered by his mortal enemy Chen Yingliang for a while. However, during the march, Li Er, who was currently in a low position, did not dare to leave the team without hesitation and failed to listen to the summons in time. Instead, Li Jing was invited by Li Yuan's envoy to the second team of the Sui army and met Li Yuan.
After meeting Li Yuan, Li Jing was not polite and asked directly: "Ambassador, what's the matter? I can't stay here for a long time, so as not to get suspicious. Please tell me if you have anything to do."
"What's going on with Changsun Shunde?" Li Yuan was not polite and asked directly: "Why didn't Chen Yingliang let him return to the team after he returned from his mission? Why did he keep him in the Central Army? What did Changsun Shunde say when he saw Chen Yingliang?"
"It's the Yinshi Master." Li Jing replied frankly: "It's the Yinshi Master who suggested Chen Yingliang do this, saying that he wanted to observe Changsun Shunde for a while, and also learned some military information about the Turkic camp from Changsun Shunde."
After saying that, Li Jing gave a brief introduction to the conversation between Changsun Shunde and Chen Yingliang, which showed that Changsun Shunde only brought back a message from Shibi Khan, and also explained that Chen Yingliang's reply to Shibi Khan with his actions. Li Yuan listened carefully and did not interrupt. Until Li Jing finished speaking, Li Yuan made a little calculation and asked again: "The day before yesterday, Chen Yingliang asked Changsun Wuji to summon Changsun Shunde. Do you know what he said during this period?"
"Of course I don't know." Li Jing replied with a wry smile: "Chen Yingliang and Mr. Changsun Shunde met in private. During this period, only his confidant soldiers and his wife and brother-in-law Changsun Wuji were accompanied. How could the Xiaguan know what their conversation was about?"
Li Yuan's expression became more complicated, and he didn't know how to continue asking Li Jing for information. As a result, Li Jing, who was careful, also found something wrong, so he asked tentatively: "Ambassador, what happened? Why do you care so much about the content of Mr. Changsun and Chen Yingliang's conversation?"
Of course, Li Yuan did not dare to answer truthfully to Li Jing. After thinking for a while, Li Yuan could only whisper: "Mr. Li, from now on, you should keep an eye on Changsun Shunde and pay close attention to Chen Yingliang's attitude towards Changsun Shunde. If you find something wrong, report it to me immediately. Okay, go."
Li Jing sang no, and quickly said goodbye and left Li Yuan to avoid being discovered by Chen Yingliang. At the same time, Li Jing was extremely suspicious and said in his heart: "Is Changsun Shunde not your Ambassador Li's long-term friend? He has been wanted by the court for many years and has been safe and sound. Ninety-nine percent is because of your secret protection. Why do you suddenly become suspicious of him? Judging from the fact that Chen Yingliang acquiesced the Yinshi Master to search Changsun Shunde's whole body, Changsun Shunde cannot be Chen Yingliang's person? Why do you want me to pay attention to him? Could it be that there is still a secret hidden in this Changsun Shunde?"
Around Shen hour in the afternoon, the Sui army divided into five teams to the north and walked the established thirty miles away, only sixty miles away from Yanmen City and more than thirty miles away from the edge of the Turkic camp. They also established Mujianzhai according to Chen Yingliang's request, and approached the Turkic camp step by step. It was also at this time that Chen Yingliang summoned the Sui army leaders such as Yang Nan, Li Yuan, Wang Shichong, Liu Changgong and Yun Dingxing to announce the next day's advance plan.
"My generals, so far, our camp is only more than thirty miles away from the Turkic camp." Chen Yingliang said directly to the generals: "The Turks have always remained unmoved, and only sent a small number of whistle cavalry to harass and monitor our army. They did not send a large number of troops to fight with our army. There may be two reasons. The first is to be afraid of fighting with our army, and the second is to lure the enemy deeper, lure our army to the north and hang up, revealing the flaws behind us, and create an opportunity for them to plagiarize the food road behind our army."
Seeing the generals nodding, Li Yuan, who had a ulterior motive, nodded unconsciously, Chen Yingliang then said: "The Turks do not like formation battles. We like them if they don't like them. In order to lure the Turks into the camp, our army must adjust its approach. Starting tomorrow, our five armies will be divided into two teams of advance. The front team is the Taiyuan King's Army and the Jiangdu King's Army. The Taiyuan Army is on the left and the Jiangdu Army is on the right; the back team has three troops, my central army is on the center, General Yun's left guard is on the left, Liu Changgong's right guard is on the right, and the five armies advance in unison, traveling ten miles a day, slowly approaching the Turkic camp, forcing the Turkic army to go out to the camp."
The generals sang their promises, and Yang Nan, who didn't know much about military affairs, asked in confusion: "Master, you are approaching the Turkic camp ten miles every day, so how can you force the Turkic camp out of the camp to fight?"
"Your Highness, this is the plan of General Chen to be the first to be the enemy." Li Yuan, who was sitting next to Yang Nang, said in a silence: "Our army is only thirty miles away from the Turkic camp. Every day, we can approach the edge of the Turkic camp within three days. At that time, the Turkic cavalry will have no room for activity, but our infantry can use the advantages of the formation to clamp the troops into a fist and directly hit the front of the Turkic camp. This kind of fighting method is very unfavorable to the Turkic camp. In order not to give us a chance, the Turkic army can only send troops to fight in advance and protect their cavalry activity space."
Yang Nan nodded in a slight way, and Chen Yingliang glanced at Li Yuan indifferently, saying that he was worthy of being the Emperor Gaozu of Tang who founded the Tang Dynasty. He could see what I was thinking at first glance. It was indeed amazing, but it was a pity that you and I were destined to be just temporary comrades, and it was impossible for us to work together. After secretly praising him, Chen Yingliang said again: "My generals, if nothing is done, let's go. From tomorrow, we will advance according to the established plan. Once the Turks come out of the camp to fight, we will immediately line up to meet the enemy."
Because Chen Yingliang's arrangement was not omitted, the Sui army generals did not object, and they all held their fists and sang promises. Only Wang Shichong, who liked to take advantage of the situation, suggested that his team was tired from afar. Should he let his army rest for a few more days before heading to the front? Chen Yingliang replied: "Wang Juncheng, the Jiangdu army is mainly infantry, and what he is best at is fighting in formation. Putting you in front also gives you the opportunity to use long and short attacks. If you are placed behind, your infantry team cannot maneuver quickly, so how can you effectively make meritorious efforts to kill the enemy? Wang Juncheng is serving the king for thousands of miles, wouldn't he even want a single achievement of killing the enemy, right?"
The thin arms were not twisted but thick thighs. Wang Shichong was so good at squeezing his own army's oil and water. He couldn't say anything else. He could only secretly scold his son-in-law for not being able to sing his promises, and he could not help but take on the task of vanguard cannon fodder. Fortunately, Chen Yingliang was still a little conscientious. He arranged the Jiangdu Wang Army on the right wing of the front team, allowing Li Yuan to protect Wang Shichong's left wing. Wang Shichong's right wing was also in danger of the Hutuo River. Only when the strongest front was attacked and he took some care of his father-in-law, Wang Shichong could barely accept it.
After distributing the tent, Li Yuan had just returned to his military camp, and a close guard came to report that Li Er had been ordered to come to the camp to pay homage to his father, and Changsun Shunde had also returned. Li Yuan was very upset when he heard the news, and quickly ran back to his confidential account to meet his son's confidant. As a result, when he entered the confidential account, Li Er and Changsun Shunde were indeed secretly talking in the account, and Liu Hongji, Liu Wenjing and Hou Junji were also there. Seeing Li Yuan coming in, everyone hurriedly saluted. Unexpectedly, Li Yuan suddenly kicked Changsun Shunde heavily in the chest, and kicked Changsun Shunde five-legged towards the sky on the spot.
The incident happened suddenly. Before he could find out the situation, Li Er was shocked. When he quickly asked about the reason, Li Yuan pointed at Changsun Shunde and roared in anger, "You ask him, why did he get me a handwritten letter from Shibi Khan of the Turkic camp? Or just write me a handwritten letter directly."
"Shibi Khan's handwritten letter to your father?"
Li Er was also stunned on the spot. When he subconsciously went to see Changsun Shunde, Changsun Shunde, who knew that he had caused a big disaster, had already kowtowed like pounding garlic, and explained in a crying voice: "Ambassador, Bei Zhi is not intentional. Bei Zhi is really not intentional, it is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, and it is a misunderstanding caused by that boy Hou Junji."
With a sad face, Changsun Shunde quickly introduced what happened in the Turkic camp again, which showed that he had never betrayed Li Yuan and his son, nor did he deliberately want to match Li Yuan and Shibi Khan. Hou Junji suddenly appeared and called out his identity, which caused Shibi Khan to misunderstand. Then Shibi Khan believed that Li Yuan was preparing to treason for personal revenge, so he wrote a letter to express his willingness to work hand in hand with Li Yuan to jointly plan the Central Plains - to arrange for Hou Junji to come forward to deliver the letter. In fact, Changsun Shunde came up with the idea. Otherwise, Shibi Khan would have Changsun Shunde to bring the reply directly to Ambassador Li Yuan and Li.
After listening to Changsun Shunde's explanation, he couldn't believe that such a coincidence was true. Li Yuan naturally quickly came to Hou Junji to confront him. Until Hou Junji explained it, Li Yuan understood the past and then felt relieved. He patted his chest and said, "Thank God, it's just a coincidence. If this was the intentional arrangement of Chen Yingliang's little thief, then I would be in great danger."
After being glad, Li Yuan quickly took out the letter that Hou Junji brought, and put it on the candle and was about to burn it. Li Er next to him was quick-witted and quickly stopped Li Yuan and whispered: "Father, don't hurry to destroy this letter. This letter may be of great use, and it would be a pity to burn it directly."
"What's the use of it?" Li Yuan said angrily: "Do you want to stay and cause trouble? Do you know that once this letter is spread, it may bring disaster to our Li family."
"Father, are you confused? How come this letter is useless?" Li Er quickly whispered: "As long as you are willing, this letter can play two huge uses, and they are all uses that have a huge impact on our Li family."
"Those two uses?" Li Yuan finally became interested. Li Er did not answer, but looked at Changsun Shunde, Hou Junji and others next to him. Li Yuan understood and waved to Yiyu's confidant. Several confidants quickly left the back account temporarily, guarded the account door and let Li Yuan and Li Er and his son discuss secretly.
Without outsiders, Li Er whispered: "Father, it seems that you are really confused. This letter is indeed dangerous to our Li family, but if used well, it can determine who will win and who will lose this battle for the king, and it can also determine the future and destiny of our Longxi Li family."
After a look at his thoughtful father, Li Er whispered: "If you are willing, you can use this letter to achieve great victory in the king's victory. The method is very simple. I will immediately take Changsun Shunde and Hou Jun to the central tent of Chen Yingliang's little thief, and present this letter written by Shibi Khan who did not have Kaifeng in public to explain the reason and origin. At that time, you will not only have any merits or failures, but also join forces with Chen Yingliang's little thief, use Shibi Khan's trust in you, arrange traps and use tricks to defeat the Turks, and share the great achievements of serving the king with Chen Yingliang's little thief."
When Li Yuan, who had been so anxious and confused before, was shocked, and then he found that a god-given opportunity was placed in front of him. Based on this letter from Shibi Khan, he could further gain Shibi Khan's trust and work with Chen Yingliang to defeat the Turkic clan. At that time, even if he could not monopolize the great achievements of the king, he could at least wash away all the previous haze and get a piece of pie that would not be too small after the war of fighting for the king.
"If my father is unwilling to cooperate with Chen Yingliang's thief and wants Chen Yingliang's thief to be defeated and killed, this letter is your best chance." Li Er lowered his voice and said softly: "As long as you are wrong, you are wrong. If you really work with Shibi Khan, then you will be able to live a life of Chen Yingliang's thief. Once Chen Yingliang's thief dies, the royal army collapses, and the emperor will never have the chance to leave Yanmen City, and the Sui Dynasty will be in chaos. At that time, with the family background of our Li family and the Turkic army supporting him behind him, why worry about the big things being done? A big cause is not fulfilled?"
Everyone knows what Li Yuan reacted when Li Er advised him to rebel in history, and this time it was the same. When he suddenly heard such a rebellious word from his baby son, Li Yuan stood up in shock and glared at his baby son with wide eyes. Li Er, who had a thick and rebellious head, was not afraid at all. He bowed to Li Yuan and said, "Father, the life and death of the Li family in Longxi, wealth, honor and disgrace are already in your mind. The child has said this, please decide for himself."
Li Yuan was hesitating in his heart that he could not decide whether to adopt the advice of his ambition son, nor could he decide whether to help Chen Yingliang win the victory of this battle for the king, or to help Shibi Khan lose his mortal enemy. After hesitating for a long time, Li Yuan suddenly made an amazing decision - suddenly hit the seal of Qibi Khan's letter, took out the letter paper and put it under the lamp to watch it quickly.
If Li Yuan, who knows his father, is better than his son. Once he is a little indecisive, he will not even be able to pull him back. Seeing Li Yuan open the letter and read the letter, Li Er, who knows his father's temper, suddenly smiled. He knew that his father was still moved and had the idea of the Great Sui Dynasty. He couldn't help but say in his heart: "Father, make up his mind quickly. Opportunities are hard to come by. We have great hope of success. After success, Wugui can also return to my side."
Li Yuan's next action made Li Er a little puzzled. After reading Shibi Khan's letter quickly, Li Yuan did not introduce the content. He also stuffed the letter back into the envelope and divided the letter again. Then he called Changsun Shunde and Hou Junji and others to enter the account. Changsun Shunde and others who had been guarding the account were ordered to enter the account. Then Li Yuan asked Changsun Shunde and Hou Junji: "Have Shibi Khan told you how he will continue to contact me?"
"Report to the ambassador, Shibi Khan did not say how to contact you, but if you need it, you can send someone to find him at any time. He is always waiting for your envoy to come." Changsun Shunde replied tremblingly.
Li Yuan nodded thoughtfully, and then ordered: "Forget this, forget it forever. If I hear a little bit of wind outside, neither of you will survive."
Changsun Shunde and Hou Junji quickly agreed with their fists, while Li Yuan placed the re-sealed letter on the candle and ignited the fire. Li Er next to him was shocked and said, "Father, you..."
"Shut up and forget this for me." Li Yuan interrupted his son rudely, and cursed in his heart: "Idiot, I don't look at the time and place when I think about it. I only have 30,000 troops in my hand. The army that may not all follow me in the uprising is around me. There are 110,000 troops loyal to the emperor, and behind me there is a steady stream of king-supporting troops heading north. Even if there is a Turkish help, there is no food, weapons, armor and foothold, even if I succeed for a while, it will be a grasshopper in the autumn, and it will not take a few days to jump."
After cursing secretly, Li Yuan's eyes turned to the burning letter again, staring at the cheerful and jumping flames. Li Yuan's heart was very happy and said to himself: "Shibi Khan, your appetite is too big and you don't trust me so much, so sorry, I can't cooperate with you. There is also Chen Yingliang's little thief, even more sorry, although I don't have the courage and ability to cause trouble now, I want to count on me to help you defeat the Turkic with a trick. You are dreaming. I would rather not have this opportunity to break the enemy than let you climb higher and faster."
The letters gradually turned into ashes, and the hope of the Sui army to quickly break through the Turks with counter-espionage scheme also disappeared. After throwing the wreckage of the letters into the brazier with his own hands, Li Yuan ordered: "Send the order and advance tomorrow with the drums. Once the Turks attack, they will fight with all their might. Be sure to repel the Turks. Do not take a step back and let friendly troops see the determination of our Taiyuan army to serve the king, and also let the Turks see the military power of our Taiyuan army."
Several confidants agreed, but Li Er was a little worried and asked, "Father, what if Shibi Khan took the initiative to send someone to contact you?"
"Take it down immediately and hand it over to Chen Yingliang's little thief in public." Li Yuan replied: "The chief of Shibi used the plan of disagreement to harm me. Chen Yingliang's little thief has no basis. If he dares to make a big fuss about this matter, it will be a great chaos in the morale of the army and will be defeated without fighting. There is no need to be afraid of him."
"But Chen Yingliang and our Li family are deeply intimate. What if he insists on taking the opportunity to harm you?" Li Er asked worriedly.
Chapter completed!