The news of Yang Yuanqing's eastward expedition reached Chang'an through the eagle letter of Taiyuan City.

At this time, Xue Ju's army had retreated to Tianshui County, and Li Yuan ransomed the captured Liu Hongji, Murong Luoyan and Li Anyuan to Xue Ju with three thousand taels of gold, and Chang'an was able to settle down for a while, and the children of Xiaoguo and Guanlong nobles who fled back from Luoyang and even Jiangdu arrived in Guanzhong one after another, and there were hundreds of officials who fled back alone, and even Dugu Zhen led the Dugu family to flee back.

Li Yuan was overjoyed, he appointed Dugu Zhen as the right servant of Shangshu, appointed Wei Jin as Nayan, and the officials who fled back were all granted official positions and all were appointed, and the world praised Li Yuan as a generous elder.

The Guanlong nobles fully supported Li Yuan, and the major families had the money to contribute and make strong contributions, and the Dugu family alone offered Li Yuan two million stones of grain and 30 million hanging money, so that Li Yuan's treasury was abundant, and the soldiers were full of food, and the escape of tens of thousands of Xiaoguo made Li Yuan's military strength strengthened.

At this time, his troops in Guanzhong had reached 200,000 people, of which the children of Guanlong accounted for half, plus the 80,000 troops in Hedong and Taiyuan, his army was nearly 300,000, and the power was strong.

He ordered Chai Shao to lead 30,000 troops to build a city in the shallow water plain, Qu Tutong as the deputy general, responsible for the defense of the North Road, and ordered the second son Li Shimin to be the commander of the West Route Army, Dou Kang to be the deputy marshal, the two led the army of 50,000 and Xue Ju to fight, and Li Shentong persuaded Xiliang Li Rail, the two armies formed an alliance, and Li Rail sent 30,000 troops south to Jincheng County to cooperate with the Tang army to deal with Xue Ju.

Although Li Xiaogong was defeated by Xue Ju in Qianshuiyuan, he led 30,000 troops to defeat the rebel Zhu Wei in Shangluo County, recovered Shangluo County, and sent heavy troops to guard Wuguan.

Just when Li Yuan attacked from all sides and triumphantly played a legato, a news came that Yang Yuanqing personally led a heavy army to the east and appeared in Mayi County.

In the Wude Palace, Li Yuan has been sitting in front of the map for almost two hours, although he is powerful at this time, but he is afraid of Yang Yuanqing in his bones, he has always regarded Yang Yuanqing as his great enemy, and now Yang Yuanqing is leading the army to the east, he immediately thinks of his old nest Taiyuan, Yang Yuanqing's eastward expedition, and the attack on Taiyuan will be inevitable.

How to deal with Yang Yuanqing's strong eastward crusade and how to keep Taiyuan, at this time, Li Yuan finally believed the words reminded him by his second son Shimin, Yang Yuanqing's intention in entering the customs was to drag his army, and Yang Yuanqing's real purpose was to advance eastward.

But even if you believe it, there is nothing to be done, he is now unable to take care of Hedong and Taiyuan, he attacks from all sides, and the surplus army that can be mobilized is only 50,000 people, and these 50,000 people have to defend Chang'an, unless it is to transfer back the Li Xiaogong army in Bashu in the south, but this is not realistic, if he gives up Bashu, he will be occupied by Xiao Milling Xiliang army first, and all the counties of Bashu in Hanzhong have expressed their willingness to be loyal to him, which is a price he can't afford.

Li Yuan was worried in his heart, and at this time, his eldest son Li Jiancheng, who had been accompanying him all the time, whispered: "Father, the child thinks that the situation is not so serious, so don't worry too much. ”

Li Yuan glanced at his son, "Tell me your reasons." ”

Li Jiancheng made a mistake in judging Yang Yuanqing's entry into the customs last time, he was really a little uneasy in his heart, he didn't dare to say much, only because his father's anxiety made him unbearable, so he finally spoke out to persuade him.

"Father, the child thinks that Yang Yuanqing has just fought with the Turks, the losses are serious, he wants to defend Fengzhou and Lingwu County, he can't send too many troops to the expedition, and now the news is that he only brought 30,000 people, which confirms the child's judgment, even if he exterminated Liu Wuzhou and obtained a lot of troops, but the combat effectiveness of Liu Wuzhou's army is much weaker, in fact, we are not weaker than him in terms of troops, and there are the advantages of Taiyuan Jiancheng, the child believes that the key is to choose a good general, and my father should focus on this."

Li Yuan nodded, the eldest son was reasonable, and he asked again: "Who do you think is the main general?" ”

"The child suggested Qu Tutong as the main general, he has strong defensive ability, and Yang Yuanqing is also quite jealous of him."

Li Jiancheng mentioned Qu Tutong, Li Yuan's brows furrowed slightly, and then he asked Jiancheng: "Why do you see that Yang Tuqing is jealous of him?" ”

"Did Father forget? Qu Tutong was appointed as the governor of the counties in the Guannei in the ninth year of the Great Cause, and led 50,000 troops to enter Yan'an County, for two years, Yang Yuanqing did not dare to touch him, until the siege of Yanmen last year, Qu Tutong withdrew, which is not in line with Yang Yuanqing's strong style, there can only be one explanation, Yang Yuanqing is quite jealous of him. ”

Although Li Jiancheng's words made sense, Li Yuan didn't believe in Qu Tutong too much in his heart, he remembered that Qu Tutong was loyal to the Sui Dynasty in Hedong County, and finally he was forced to surrender himself, and it was less than two months, how could he appoint Qu Tutong as the main general, but he didn't want to say this real reason.

"But I'm worried that Qu Tutong may not get along with Wuji, and they haven't even met yet."

"Father, Wuji guards Taiyuan City, Qu Tutong is a foreign aid, the two actually have no connection, it should be fine."

"Let me think again! You step back first. ”

"Yes, the child is gone."

Li Jiancheng knew that his father was reluctant to send Qu Tutong as the main general, and he felt a little regretful in his heart, but he had no choice but to give a salute and retreat.

Li Yuan pondered for a moment, and at this time, the guards reported at the door, "Report to the Prime Minister, Pei Changshi asks to see." ”

Li Yuan had always trusted Pei Lian, and he hurriedly said, "Invite him in quickly!" ”

After a while, Pei Lin hurriedly walked into the room and bowed to Li Yuan to the ground, "Weichen Pei Lian, see His Royal Highness King Tang!" ”

Li Yuan did not allow others to call him the king of Tang, and he was not allowed to call him a minister, but Pei Lin insisted on calling Li Yuan the king of Tang and calling himself a micro-minister, for which Li Yuan reprimanded him several times in public, but he just didn't change, and Li Yuan had no way to take him.

At this time, he didn't care about Pei Lian's title, Li Yuan sighed and said: Changshi came to see me for Yang Yuanqing's matter? ”

"Exactly!"

"Sit down first!"

Li Yuan invited Pei Lin to sit down, and ordered someone to serve tea, and Pei Lin suggested: "Weichen persuaded His Highness not to send more troops, sending 20,000 people is enough, the key is to choose the right general?" ”

Li Yuan nodded, "Jiancheng also persuaded me like this, and I accepted it, the key is that I can't make up my mind about this lord." ”

Pei Lin asked curiously: "I don't know who the prince recommends as the main general?" ”

"Build and recommend Qu Tutong as the main general."

"No!"

Pei Lin immediately shook his head, "The recommendation of the prince of the world, Weichen will never approve of it." ”

"Why?"

"Your Highness, it has been less than two months since Qu Tutong surrendered, and his family is still in Luoyang, once King Yue forgives him for his sins, summons him to defend His Highness Luoyang, and says whether he will go or not?"

Pei Lian's words hit Li Yuan's mind, he was still a little hesitant, but now he has made up his mind, he must not send Qu Tutong as the main general and deputy general.

Pei Lin said again: "Wechen came today to remind His Highness that Hedong is rich in money and grain, with a large population, it is a treasure land for raising troops and standing on its own, and outsiders cannot be used as the main general, Wechen recommends Li Shuliang as the main general, and Liu Hongji as the deputy general." ”

"But the lesson of Yang Xuangan's defeat is still there, and I am afraid that the Li family will repeat the mistakes of Xuangan."

"No!"

Pei Xiao said with a smile: "Yang Xuangan's strategy with the family itself is not wrong, but most of his clansmen are mediocre people who have caused a big deal, and His Royal Highness's clan is full of talents, so it should be of great use, not to mention the Wuzhong clan, Wenzhong and good talents, this is the good respect of the country, Your Highness does not need to be suspicious." ”

Li Yuan was said to be moved, in fact, the most suitable is the second son Shimin, but Xue Ju directly threatened Guanzhong, and non-Shimin could not resist, Li Xiaogong went south to Shu Li Shuliang was slightly inferior, but he was stable and skillful, but compared with Yang Yuanqing, Li Shuliang was still a little worse, and he also needed a strategist to assist, so it was complete.

Li Yuan smiled and said: "Although Li Shuliang and Liu Hongji have the talent to lead troops, but their writing is not good, I want to ask Changshi to accompany them and save Hedong in the north, I don't know if Pei Gong is willing?" ”

Pei Lian bowed and said: "Your Highness has an order, Pei Lian'an dares to disobey!" ”

Li Yuan immediately ordered Li Shuliang to be the commander of the Hedong Road march and the general of the right Xiaowei, and the military horses of all counties in Hedong were dispatched by him, and ordered Liu Hongji to be the deputy general and Pei Lin to be the marching Sima, and led 20,000 elite soldiers from Guanzhong to support Hedong.

At this time, the news that Qi Yuanqing had broken Liu Wuzhou in Mayi County came, the situation was critical, and Li Yuan urged Li Shuliang to immediately go north to support.

Liu Wenjing hurriedly came to the front of the Wude Palace, and he said to the guards: "Please tell Xiangguo, Liu Wenjing has an urgent matter to see!" ”

Liu Wenjing only came back from Fengjing two days ago, Li Yuan personally put wine to suppress his shock, frankly admitted that it was his own mistake that caused Liu Wenjing to suffer the shame of being taken captive, and ordered to reward Liu Wenjing for starving to death and unyielding character, reward him with a thousand taels of silver, let him recuperate at home, and then reinstate himself after his body recovered, all of which moved Liu Wenjing.

In the past few days, he was recuperating at home and did not participate in military affairs, when he suddenly heard that Li Yuan had sent Li Shuliang as the commander to go to Hedong to rescue, which surprised him and hurried to stop him.

After a while, the guard came out and said, "The prime minister has a gentleman, please come with me!" ”

Liu Wenjing followed the guards, walked quickly to the inner mansion, and walked into the official room, Liu Wenjing stepped forward and gave Li Yuan a deep salute, "See Xiangguo for your humble position." ”

"Is Gong Liu's health better?" Li Yuan asked with unusual concern.

"Thank you Xiangguo for your concern, the humble body has recovered, and I am willing to serve Xiangguo at any time."

"No hurry! No hurry! ”

Li Yuan laughed, "You are the number one talent in your own appearance, you have the opportunity to display your talents, I ask you to completely raise your body, what items do you need, just ask." ”

"Xiangguo's good intentions are lowly and dedicated, but the humble position is here today, is to persuade Xiangguo not to use Shuliang as the main general, although he is talented, but he is not Yang Yuanqing's opponent, if he fails again, I am afraid that Taiyuan is in danger, Hedong is in danger, and it is recommended to transfer back to Shimin to Hedong, but he can order Dou Kang to hold the big earthquake pass, first take the defensive, Xue Ju will inevitably go north to attack Li Rail, and let them fight in the two families, we can sit on the fisherman's profits, and wait for the situation in Taiyuan to stabilize, take Bashu, and then turn back to deal with Xue Ju is not too late."

Li Yuan smiled slightly: "Although Shimin is capable, but I am not only a general, Shuliang is my younger brother, I know him very well, he has been skilled in leading horses since he was a child, and he is good at learning the art of war, which can be described as both civil and military, even if he is a little closer, there are Pei Lin and Liu Hong Kievzuo, learn from each other's strengths, enough to deal with Yang Yuanqing, and say that changing generals in battle is a taboo for soldiers, I have used him as a general, and I have no regrets, Liu Gong does not need to say it anymore, I have decided this matter, and I don't want to change it again."

Liu Yuanjing was anxious and wanted to persuade again, but Li Yuan smiled at the guard next to him and said, "Bring me my thousand-year-old ginseng, I will give it to Liu Gong to nourish his body." ”

Li Yuan personally sent Liu Wenjing away, he returned to the room, stood in front of the window and pondered for a moment, turned around and slowly took out a letter from the drawer, this is Liu Wenjing's letter of peace to his family in Fengzhou, Li Yuan heard that Liu Wenjing had news, so he asked for this letter on the grounds of missing.

Li Yuan read the letter again with an expressionless face, and his gaze fell on the last line, 'Fengzhou is rich' and the people are stable and honest, which makes people in the world yearn for it, and it is a pure land in troubled times! .

The corners of Li Yuan's mouth showed an imperceptible sneer.