Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Apart from showing a look of panic before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin did not show the slightest panic even when the Eastern Turkic army approached Chang'an.

At this moment, they were shocked because Xueyantuo suddenly appeared near Youzhou.

Chang Sun Wuji asked quickly, "Your Majesty, isn't the Right Guard General Li Daliang stationed in Youzhou?"

"How could they allow more than 100,000 Xueyantuo troops to cross the Great Wall?"

Li Daliang was a man of both civil and military talents, with a meticulous mind and rich experience in commanding troops in combat. How could he not have discovered in advance that hundreds of thousands of Xueyantuo troops were heading south?

When Li Shimin heard Changsun Wuji's question, his expression turned ugly.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Li Daliang pleaded guilty in his memorial. He had been drinking with the King of Han in the governor's mansion for nearly two months and neglected to monitor the Xueyantuo!"

A few years ago, he highly praised his beloved general Li Daliang in front of civil and military officials.

He is praised for his talents in both civil and military affairs and for his steadfast aspirations, so he is entrusted with the post of governor and is given an important position.

Unexpectedly, the calm and steady Li Daliang, like Fang Xuanling, also caused a disaster due to carelessness.

Fang Xuanling said solemnly, "Your Majesty, Youzhou is the throat of Liaodong and the Central Plains. It is also the only way for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and his 100,000-man army to retreat. We cannot afford to lose it!"

"Immediately give the order to Xue Wanche, who is guarding Daizhou, to lead the army north to Youzhou for support!"

Although there are more than 100,000 troops around Chang'an City, it will take at least half a month to prepare food and fodder for the army and equip them with weapons and armor.

After the army has marched for another ten days or so, and spent a month on it, I'm afraid Youzhou would have been easy for the enemy to take over.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Li Daliang has already sent people to Daizhou to ask Xue Wanche for help. Xue Wanche will be able to lead his troops to set off in the next two or three days."

"But most of his men are infantrymen. Even if they march quickly, it will take several days to reach Youzhou!"

Youzhou is not far from Daizhou, and a fast horse can reach it in one day and one night.

However, it would take at least three to five days for the infantry to travel with the baggage.

If it rains heavily during the march, the delay will be even longer.

Cheng Yaojin, who has been stationed in Youzhou for many years, said with a serious face: "Your Majesty, I have been stationed in Youzhou for several years and am quite familiar with the place."

"Why don't you let me lead 3000 elite cavalry to rush over to support us?"

"I promise to reach Youzhou within 4 days!"

It takes a long time to prepare food and fodder for tens of thousands of troops, but it only takes half a day to prepare food and fodder for thousands of cavalry.

Moreover, the cavalry can march very quickly and can cover hundreds of miles a day at full speed.

Li Shimin immediately ordered: "Zhijie, you immediately go to the left and right garrison guards and the left and right brave guards to select 3000 elite cavalry, take the food and grass needed for the journey, and set off immediately!"

"Tang Jian, as the Minister of Revenue, you must fully cooperate with Zhijie in preparing food and fodder!"

Cheng Yaojin and Tang Jian clasped their fists and saluted.

"According to the order!"

After saying this, the two of them left Liangyi Hall in a hurry.

Li Jing, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the Xueyantuo's main cavalry is in Liaodong, and their main infantry is in Youzhou. The Xueyantuo's domestic defense must be empty."

"Why not send a brave general to lead 3000 cavalrymen to attack the Xueyantuo royal court across a thousand miles?"

"As long as we control Xueyantuo's civil and military officials, as well as their families, Xueyantuo will be defeated without a fight!"

What a plan!

Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian and others all had their eyes lit up.

Stealing the Xueyantuo's lair, this move is really clever!

Li Jing is worthy of being the military god of the Tang Dynasty. Even though he is already an elderly man in his 70s, his sense of battle is still so strong.

Li Shimin's deep eyes passed over Li Jing and paused for a few breaths. He then turned his gaze to Niu Jinda.

"Niu Jinda, select 1000 cavalrymen from the Imperial Army, and then dispatch 2000 cavalrymen from Lingzhou and Liangzhou to raid the Xueyantuo Imperial Court at Yu Dujun Mountain!"

"According to the order!"

Niu Jinda responded excitedly with a fist clasped.

When it comes to attacking foreign tribes, although Niu Jinda did not have as much combat experience as Li Jing, Li Ji and Hou Junji, he had also participated in wars against Tubo and Gaochang.

Now the defense of the Xueyantuo imperial court is weak, and 3000 elite cavalry can completely kill everyone in it.

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Niu Jinda, you always complain to me that you don't have the opportunity to fight, but you must seize the opportunity this time!"

Niu Jinda said with a face full of fighting spirit: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely take down Yu Dujun Mountain!"

"There is no time to lose. Go and recruit troops now. I am waiting for your good news!"

"I will retire at the end."

After Niu Jinda saluted with his fists, he strode out of the Liangyi Hall.

Next, Li Shimin discussed the issue of how to deal with Xueyantuo with several important ministers for more than four hours, which ended in the evening.

After several important ministers left, Li Shimin called Li Junxian over.

"Jun Xian, you will personally lead the imperial guards to escort the two imperial doctors, carrying the herbs needed for internal and external injuries, to Anshi City to treat the prince."

"You need to see clearly which leg the prince has been injured in, what the current injury is, and whether it can be recovered in the future!"

"Talk to Divine Doctor Sun and the Crown Prince about this, and you must return as soon as possible!"

The injury of Crown Prince Li Chengqian has always been a concern for Li Shimin.

Li Junxian clasped his fists and saluted with a serious expression, saying, "As you wish!"

Looking at Li Junxian's quickly leaving back, Li Shimin's eyes were filled with worry.

"Why did Gao Ming have to go through so much hardship?"

"Hey~"

After a long sigh was heard, the Liangyi Hall fell into a long silence.

...

Liang Guogong Mansion.

Fang Yiai lay comfortably in his courtyard, holding a hardcover copy of "Three Hundred Tang Poems", and recited the verses above with ecstasy.

"The bandits have taken over our old land, and the man wants to be a marquis."

"I wish to hold the cold iron spear and bring peace to the world"

He murmured with deep emotion: "I don't know where I got the inspiration to write such a good poem!"

At this time, Fang Yiai's attendant ran in and reported respectfully.

"Second Master, Her Royal Highness the Princess' personal maid Taozi is here!"

Fang Yiai frowned and asked, "What are you doing here, Taozi?"

"I don't know, little one."

"Please bring Taozi in."

"promise!"

Soon after the servant left, Taozi came in with a strange expression.

"Prince Consort Fang, the princess went to Huichang Temple to burn incense and pray. I asked for a jade pendant that will help your future. You should carry it with you from now on."

Fang Yiai was furious and asked, "Gao Yang went to Huichang Temple again?"

Could it be that Gao Yang went to Huichang Temple to hang out with the bald monk Bian Ji again?

Taozi quickly explained, "Prince Consort Fang, Princess Gaoyang did not go there alone. Princess Baling also went there."

Upon hearing that Chai Lingwu's wife, Princess Baling, was also going with him, Fang Yiai took the jade pendant with a relaxed expression.

With Princess Baling by his side, Gao Yang wouldn't dare to do anything reckless, right?