Tang Dynasty

At the beginning of the third year of Wude, there was another snowfall in the suburbs of Baibi.

Li Shimin sat curled up in the tent, looking at the letter in his hand quietly with the dancing flames in the brazier in front of him.After reading it, he slowly crumpled the paper into a ball and held it firmly in his palm.After a long time, he loosened it as if he lost his strength, and gently threw it into the firelight.In the bright firelight, the ball of paper unfolded slowly, became burnt, and finally turned into ashes.

Yuwen Shiji stood aside, and wanted to ask about the content of the letter, but seeing that his expression was serious, unable to detect his emotions, he could only keep his mouth shut.

He was originally the son of Sui Youwei General Yu Wenshu and the younger brother of Yu Wenhuaji. In February last year, Yu Wenhua was defeated by Huaian King Li Shentong and Dou Jiande one after another, and his life was exhausted.Yuwen Shi knew that there was no way out, and he had some old friends with Li Yuan, so he accepted an imperial edict and sent it to Tang Dynasty.

But Li Shimin saw that he was thoughtful and appreciative, so he took advantage of his massive recruitment of talents and recruited him under his command, which was quite valuable.At this time, he took him by his side when he went out to fight, and regarded him as a military advisor.

In fact, after Liu Wenjing's death, he also suddenly felt that there was no longer a person who could confide in him.

There was silence in the tent for a long time, until Li Shimin said indifferently: "The crown prince has put down the thieves, and the class teacher returns to the court." He looked at the brazier with a flash of light in his eyes, his expression was calm, but the corners of his lips seemed to be mocking, "He sent someone to send a letter, entrusting this king, this battle... there must be no mistakes."

The strokes on the letter are so familiar that it makes one's heart ache, one can almost imagine the thin white figure sitting upright under the lamp and writing; but the words are so formal that they are almost cold, without any emotion, There is not too much care.

——Brother, you sent this letter only for the sake of the Li family.

Yuwen Shiji suddenly heard Li Shimin say the contents of the letter, and saw the bitterness in his face, and he understood a little bit in his heart.He is naturally intelligent and good at observing words and expressions. During these days with Li Shimin, he seems to have faintly realized that he seems to have a different kind of affection for the current prince.

However, this matter must never be explained to outsiders, and even what he saw, he must not let the King of Qin know.After pondering for a while, he said, "Your Highness, I am waiting to confront Song Jingang here. It has been more than four months, but I don't know when will be the opportunity to attack?"

Li Shimin didn't answer immediately when he heard the words, he just stood up and walked to the edge of the tent, lifted the curtain and looked out.I saw a light snowfall, and the plains were covered with layers of plain white.It is empty and lonely in sight, and there is no one inhabited, only the endless snow-covered plains.

Yuwen Shiji walked behind him and stood still, only felt the cold wind blowing in from outside the door, and he didn't feel his body tremble.However, Li Shimin didn't notice it at all, and just stared outside.After a pause, he raised his eyes to look into the distance, and sighed to himself: "This should be the beginning of spring... the last snow."

Not understanding what he meant, Yuwen Shiji just echoed, "Yes. Spring will begin soon."

Li Shimin closed the tent, turned to look at him and said, "Your benevolence thinks how long our army can hold out against Song Jingang here?"

Yuwen Shiji thought for a moment, and said: "It can last for a long time, but not for too long."

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows slightly, and said, "What do you mean by that?"

"The iron will of our army is by no means invincible to ordinary men and horses. Even His Royal Highness is the first soldier, sharing weal and woe with the soldiers. Even this long winter has already survived. Why don't you worry about the rest of the day?" Yu Wenshi Speaking of this, he paused slightly, and said, "Although our army can survive for a long time, in the long-term shortage of food and food, it can't resist a small draught."

When Li Shimin heard this, he smiled slowly and said, "The benevolent people are referring to the word 'Military Heart'?"

"Exactly." Yuwen Shiji cupped his hands and said, "However, the morale of the army is deeply tied to food and grass."

"My lord understands what a benevolent man said. Although it has become increasingly difficult to raise food recently, there is only one morsel left, so I have to stick to it." Li Shimin's eyes slightly turned to the distance. Seeing the bloody battlefield, "You know, we can still raise food everywhere, but Song Jingang is desperate to defend the isolated city. How difficult it is for us, the Song army may be ten times stronger than me. "

Yuwen Shi and heard the words, suddenly understood, and couldn't help saying: "So the king of Qin only defends and does not attack these days, so he waits for the day when he runs out of ammunition and food?"

Li Shimin nodded and said: "During the severe winter, the heavy snow and ice are not conducive to a strong attack. Although this kind of defense is a little bit hard, when the Song army is exhausted, it can be defeated at the lowest cost in one fell swoop."

Yuwen Shiji was stunned.It is true that what Li Shimin said is true, but a team of people can survive the long winter under the shortage of food and grass.Not only the whole army, but also Li Shimin himself, if it wasn't for the determination and perseverance of ordinary people, how could they dare to make such a bet?

Even though he heard that the King of Qin was young and talented, but at this moment, Yuwen Shiji really felt that this person was really extraordinary.

Not only is it unusual, but it is also somewhat unpredictable.For the past winter, he has kept such a calculation in his heart, and he finally revealed it until today.However, even so, he can still rely on his courage and prestige to suppress the intention of the lieutenants and soldiers to fight countless times and force them to stick to it, but he has to be admired.

While he was pondering, he heard Li Shimin say again: "Seeing the cold winter river passing by, I expect that soon after the snow melts...Song Jingang will definitely move. Whether he is fighting or fleeing, soldiers will block him when he falls, and water will cover him with earth. This king should take care of me." After a slight pause, "Please hurry up and order, these few days of military training, don't be lazy!"

Yuwen Shiji was startled, but he quickly understood, cupped his hands and said: "I obey the order."

----

Sure enough, as Li Shimin expected, in April, when the ice and snow melted in the world, the spring will be warm and the flowers will bloom. Song Jingang led his army to retreat northward from Baibi because of the lack of food and grass.

Li Shimin heard the news and immediately mobilized the whole army to pursue it quickly.However, when they arrived at Baibi, the Song army had already left the city.Knowing that the Song army retreated very quickly, if they brought food and supplies, they would definitely not be able to catch up. Li Shimin did not delay, leaving the food and supplies and the old, weak, sick and disabled in the army. He chased away non-stop.

Because the march was too fast, the luggage fell farther and farther away. After a day, the whole army had no water at all.While taking a nap, Yuwen Shiji was worried in his heart, and said to Li Shimin: "Your Highness, defeating Song Jingang this time is already a great achievement. At this time, the food and grass have been cut off. If we continue to pursue, I'm afraid..."

"How can we talk about defeat before the battle?" Li Shimin sneered and interrupted, "I have waited for a whole long winter to have such a good opportunity, how can I let it go easily?" After finishing speaking, he got on his horse and said, "Chase again!"

Although the men and horses in the tent were exhausted, seeing that Li Shimin, the King of Qin, was so disregarding himself, he was deeply encouraged, so he hurriedly got on his horse and followed him, not daring to be lazy in the slightest.

In this way, Tang Jun bit Song Jun tightly and traveled day and night. Two days later, he finally caught up with the exhausted Song Jingang's troops in Queshu Valley.Li Shimin's command was determined, and he fought eight battles a day with the Song army, winning every battle. Song Jingang lost tens of thousands of troops, and after nightfall he did not dare to meet again, and hurried to Jiexiu with the remnants of the defeated general.

"Report!" The Qianfeng Xiaoxiao hurried back and said to Li Shimin, "Your Highness, Song Jin escaped in the dark, do you want to pursue him?"

Li Shimin has gone through eight hard battles, and his clothes and hair are covered with blood.Hearing the words, he was silent for a moment, put the blood-stained long sword into the scabbard in his hand, and said slowly: "I won't chase anymore, let's rest tonight."

Yuwen Shiji was at the side, hearing that his voice was hoarse, he couldn't help turning his head to look.However, Li Shimin's face was hidden in the night, so blurry that people couldn't see clearly.

"Your Highness?" Seeing that the other party hadn't spoken for a long time, he couldn't help calling out in a low voice.

"Tonight...the army will be stationed in Queshu Valley, and we will attack Jiexiu early in the morning." Li Shimin said slowly, and after finishing speaking, he took the lead in beating the horse, turned around and left.

However, before he even lifted the rein, his eyes went dark, and he fell down.

----

When Li Shimin woke up, he was already lying in the tent.He moved a little, only to feel that his whole body was so soft that he almost lost his strength.Struggling to sit up, stretching out his hand to press his forehead, he suddenly remembered the situation when he fell off the horse.

When I felt that I couldn't bear it anymore, I wanted to hold my breath and stay in the tent, but I didn't want to...

Thinking of this, he couldn't help laughing at himself.

At this time, Yuwen Shiji opened the tent and entered, holding a big bowl in his hand, saw Li Shimin and said happily: "Your Highness is awake?"

Li Shimin looked at him and said "um" in a low voice, but he was suddenly caught by the aroma in his bowl, and couldn't help but ask, "This is... mutton?"

"Exactly." Yuwen Shiji said with a smile, "Someone caught a goat at the foot of the mountain. Today everyone can be regarded as having a good time."

Li Shimin smiled and said: "These few days have been hard for everyone. After returning to Beijing, I will definitely reward the three armies."

Yuwen Shiji put the mutton soup in front of him, and said: "Your Highness has a body of gold and jade. In the past few days, a grain of rice has not been eaten, and the clothes are not undressed. I really admire it!"

Li Shimin looked down at the bowl of soup, and vaguely recalled the past two days. When he experienced it personally, he didn't notice it, but when he recalled it, he really felt like he was gambling with his life.

However, what is it that supports or forces me to force myself like crazy?

The answer is self-evident.Even if he didn't do it intentionally, but for that reason, he almost instinctively bet his life.

——Brother, Shimin may even give up his life just because of your promise.

——If you find out, I’m afraid you’ll only think I’m stupid.

——But knowing this, I still...

Li Shimin lowered his eyes, looked at his blurred projection in the soup bowl, and smiled slightly.Then he picked up the bowl, but suddenly stood up.

The strength of the whole body has not yet recovered, and he couldn't help shaking slightly when he got up.Seeing this, Yuwen Shiji hurriedly stepped forward to help him, and said, "Your Highness, where are you going?"

"Renren, bring me the Diaoqiu." Li Shimin stood still and said, "This king is going to have dinner with the soldiers outside the tent."

Yuwen Shiji was taken aback, but he also understood that his move was to calm people's hearts and make up for the turmoil in the army that may have been caused by the fall of the horse just now.Secondly, it is also to boost morale, for the battle of Jiexiu tomorrow.

Even though he knew clearly that he was still holding on, he had no choice but to quickly fetch the sable fur and pay the debt together with him.

----

One month later, news of Song Jingang's self-guided defeat by Li Shimin and his escape from the siege was sent back to Mayi. Hearing the news, Duo Bi immediately packed his bags and returned to Turkic.

Liu Wuzhou sent them off in person, tried his best to flatter him, and begged the Turks to send troops to help them.Aggressively nodded calmly, and said with a smile: "This king should tell Khan."

After leaving Mayi, he rode his horse all the way and returned to Turkic.He Bi didn't pause, and Dang even came to Luo Khan's tent to ask for an audience.

Chuluo Khan leaned against the low table in the tent, wrapped in a thick blanket.Seeing Duobi, he said, "I heard that Liu Wuzhou was defeated?"

"That's right." Duo Bi nodded and said, "Song Jingang's troops have already been defeated by the Qin King Li Shimin, and Liu Wuzhou's main force is here. Once Song Jingang is defeated, he will be hopeless."

"From this point of view, Tang Jun really should not be underestimated." Chu Luo Khan coughed a few times in a low voice, and said, "Then Liu Wuzhou may still come to ask for help after being defeated. Look... what will we do? disposal?"

"Then Liu Wuzhou, to us, is just a stubborn stone to test the Tang army's edge. Now that the stubborn stone is useless, naturally there is no need to keep it." Duobi said word by word, paused, and lowered his voice A little bit, "It's just that Li Shimin...but don't underestimate him..."

Chu Luo Khan raised his head to look at him when he heard the words, and pondered: "There are strong generals in the Tang Dynasty like this, so what should I do in the future?"

"Brother, don't worry," Du Bi laughed when he heard the words, and said, "No matter how strong Li Shimin is, I won't be afraid at all!"

The only regret is that this time he went south, but he never saw that person.The only worry is that Li Shimin is far from yesterday, what should you do if it is completed?

On Luo Khan's face, there was a clear oldness. He finally smiled in relief when he heard the words, and said: "Hey, you are so arrogant, the position of Khan will be handed over to you in the future, big brother." Then I can relax."

"Brother..." Duo Bi walked up to him and knelt down on one knee.

Chuluo Khan stretched out his hand to stop his words, and said with a smile: "I have suffered from this disease for several months, and no one understands the situation better than me. Life and death are fate, but seeing you take over the Khan's position, death is nothing. I'm sorry." Then he coughed again.

Duobi held his elder brother's hand tightly, and slowly said: "You don't need to speak, Duobi will surely fulfill your brother's wish!"

He will not settle down in the barren land in the north. One day, the Turkic cavalry will cross the Great Wall, step on the Loess Plateau, and reach the thousands of miles of fertile fields in the middle of the pass.

This is also the same wish that every generation of Turkic Khan has.

——Jiancheng, I only hope that that day, my opponent will not be someone else.

The author has something to say: Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow ! ! "o((>ω<))o"

Er Dai: (ˉ▽ˉ;) Hey, hey, I'm the first guy... Where is the sense of existence...

Big brother: (““) You…spoiler…

Floor: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a...