Crown Prince's Counterattack

In July, when it rained heavily, Li Yuan marched into Guanzhong and garrisoned Jiahubao.

It rained heavily for several days, the ground was slippery, and the daily morning exercises were stopped. Soldiers wore heavy armor and patrolled outside the camp every day.

The heavy rain brought not only difficulties in marching, but also a delay in information. Fortunately, there was enough food and grass for this expedition.

When Sima Yi entered the room, he saw that there were already people in the room. Li Yuan was standing in front of the desk with deep brows, his gaze fell on the topographic map on the desk, and he didn't even notice that he came in.

Li Shimin arrived early with his vassals. In the room were the old vassals who accompanied Li Yuan to the expedition. After greeting each other, Sima Yi sat down in the vacant seat. Things in the barracks were complicated, and he had Time can't get away.

"It's been raining for some time, and I don't know when it will stop?"

Sima Yi looked at the gloomy sky outside the window, and felt that the rain might last for a few more days, and the march might delay a lot of days.

"Everyone is here, let's talk about the siege."

Li Yuan raised his head, saw Sima Yi who was sitting on the side, nodded, and said to everyone present.

Everyone cheered up and looked at Li Yuan who was sitting in the main seat.

"Huoyi's terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The general who defends the city has been leading troops for many years, Song Laosheng, who is skilled in military tactics. At this time, there are fewer troops in the city. I'm afraid he won't fight easily, but he will stick to it and confront our army. If things go on like this, not only will the supply of food and grass not be enough, I am afraid that morale will also easily drop, what can you do?"

After hearing Li Yuan's words, everyone fell into silence, thinking about countermeasures.

"How about luring the enemy deep?"

Sima Yi pondered for a while, and after repeated consideration, he opened his mouth and said.

"As far as I know, this General Song came from a humble background. Judging from his previous combat methods, he may be a man of courage and intrepidity. In addition, he is very successful and has not been promoted for many years. I am afraid that his subordinates are not capable. Different people help each other. Why don't you send out a team of soldiers and lead them out of the city to fight. The other party will definitely look down on us when they see that there are few people on our side. If this is done, they will be able to take Huo Yi in one fell swoop."

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Sima Yifu explained in detail.

"What do you think of the built strategy?"

Li Yuan asked.

"What the eldest son said is indeed feasible"

The others nodded one after another, and looked at Sima Yi with a little more seriousness. To be able to think of a feasible way to attack the city in such a short period of time, it can be seen that he is a man of means.But it is more of a gratifying mentality. They rebelled with Li Yuan in order to seek the wealth and glory of future generations. The ability of the master they follow is important, but the ability of the next successor is even more important. Seeing them today, everyone can be regarded as letting go of a major matter in their hearts.

Li Shimin looked at the expressions of everyone calmly, and the haze in his heart deepened.

After leaving the camp, Li Shimin quickly recruited his confidants, and discussed the strategies discussed in the study with everyone.

"Eldest Young Master, this plan is not bad. If it succeeds, it will definitely take down Huoyi City in one fell swoop."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone noticed that everyone in the room was looking at him, and their expressions were not very good-looking. He closed his mouth and suddenly realized how inappropriate what he said was.

Li Shimin frowned, he was in no mood to worry about such a trivial matter.

"Second Young Master, things are not good."

"Whether this battle is won or lost, the eldest son can be said to have contributed to his advice. Our situation is not very good."

"Of course I know this, that's why I came to discuss with you. As long as you can surpass him in military merit, the form will be very different."

Li Shimin's tone was serious.

"Second Young Master, you might as well wait for the work at leisure. Since the Master proposes to divide the troops to lure the enemy, when the Eldest Young Master is going to fight, the Second Young Master might as well wait for the opportunity and try to annihilate the enemy's leader in one fell swoop, and get that merit."

"It sounds like a whimsical idea, but it's not unreasonable. If you plan carefully, it may not be impossible to realize it. What do you think, Second Young Master?"

"At this moment, it is better to take a risk!"

Hearing everyone's persuasion, Li Shimin was startled, but he hesitated in his heart.

In August, the rainy season finally passed, the weather finally cleared up, and the army slowly moved towards Huoyi.

Li Yuan then sent hundreds of cavalry to the east of Huoyi City, and camped five or six miles away from the city, waiting for the infantry.Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin each led dozens of cavalry until Huoyi city patrol.Li Yuan then divided his subordinates into more than a dozen teams to patrol from the southeast to the southwest of the city, as if he was about to set up camp and attack the city, and asked Yin Kaishan to lead the rear army to start marching.

On the city wall, Song Laosheng and several lieutenants looked down at the garrison outside the city.

"What's going on? How can there be so few troops? Could it be that the enemy has some conspiracy?"

Cautious people think a little more.

"Hahaha, this Hero's Tomb in the Beauty Township, you couldn't be the one who got into the bed of that little lady in Yihonglou yesterday and wiped out all your guts, right?"

"That's right, there are so many conspiracies. The Li family's army's rebellion is only a short-term thing. It must not be able to recruit too many rebels, so it's not surprising that there are few people. Don't scare yourself. own"

"That's right. Since there are few people on the other side, let's keep these people. Then we will ask His Majesty for merit. It is not a problem to be promoted. Obedience, everyone will fight with me."

As soon as the generals heard that there was an opportunity to be promoted, their hearts were filled with enthusiasm, and they couldn't wait to follow Song Laosheng down the tower.Song Laosheng saw that there were not many soldiers and horses planning to set up camp under the city, and Li Yuan's rear army had not yet arrived, so he divided the 3 people into two.

Li Yuan worried that Song Laosheng would not be too far away from the city, so he asked Li Jiancheng to lead the left army and Li Shimin to lead the right army, cutting off Song Laosheng's way back to the city, and Li Yuan himself led the army to pretend to retreat.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Look at the leader of the enemy, I will let him be promoted to three ranks, and I will personally ask His Majesty for credit for him."

When Song Laosheng saw Li Yuan withdrawing his army, he thought that Li Yuan was afraid, so he led the army forward and formed an array one mile away from the city.Yin Kaishan led the infantry in front of the formation, followed by the rear.

The battlefield was full of chaos, and the dark red blood was sprinkled on the land, full of violence and killing atmosphere. Everyone's breath was chaotic, red-eyed, and there was a posture of not distinguishing between the enemy and the enemy.

The two armies have been facing each other for a long time without a winner, but the more the stalemate is like this, the more casualties will be caused.

"Song Laosheng is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!"

"Song Laosheng is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!"

"Song Laosheng is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!"

Sima Yi was sitting on the horseback, surrounded by soldiers guarding him, but his face was also slightly injured. Seeing the two armies stand still, he suddenly shouted.

The soldiers' eyes lit up when they heard it, and they followed Sima Yi's example and shouted loudly, one by one, and the three of them became tigers, and those who didn't believe it began to be dubious.

The leading generals are all dead, so what should these soldiers do, and whose command should they listen to?The army was confused, and the army was quickly defeated by Li Yuan's attack.

When Song Laosheng heard this shout, he knew it was a conspiracy by the other party. He wanted to stabilize the morale of the army, but it was a pity that he was entangled all the time. When he finally reacted and had room to breathe, he found that he was unable to turn the tide. Yes, the game is over.

"Back to the city!!!"

Song Laosheng gritted his teeth and shouted, at least part of the troops can be saved by withdrawing now.

After Song Laosheng's soldiers and horses heard about it, they abandoned their battles and ran away.The city gate was blocked again by Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, and Song Laosheng was unable to return to the city. The people in the city put down the rope to pull Song Laosheng up, and the army leader Lu Jun'er took the opportunity to kill Song Laosheng.

"Brother, what do you mean?"

Li Shimin looked at Sima Yi who was standing in front of him with an angry face.

"What do I mean, you have to ask the second brother yourself."

Sima Yi smiled meaningfully.

"I've been paying attention to you for a long time. What does it mean to stay on the west side of the army? Do you want to take the lead? Cutting a Hu will not work on the battlefield. It's better to keep your feet on the ground. It's easy for people who always want to take shortcuts Going the wrong way, don't you think?"

"Big Brother, be careful, it seems that Big Brother still misunderstood me too much."

Li Shimin's face was livid, but he still tried his best to maintain his demeanor.

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, only the second brother is clear, and the elder brother doesn't say much. Now that Huo Yi has been defeated, there are still many things waiting for me to deal with, so I won't talk to you much."

Sima Yi smiled indifferently, and walked away with his own people.

"Second Young Master, this Eldest Young Master is too arrogant."

One of Li Shimin's confidants couldn't help but said.

"To shut up!"

Li Shimin scolded angrily, scaring everyone behind him to shut up quickly.

In September, Li Yuan sent Li Jiancheng to lead Liu Wenjing, Wang Changxie and others to refuse to defend Tongguan and also guard Yongfeng warehouse to prevent the enemy from being attacked.Soon after, Li Shentong, Chai Shao and others also joined forces with Li Yuan. Li Yuan sent Li Shimin to station troops in Acheng, and Li Jiancheng stationed troops in Bashang.In October, Li Yuan led his army to Bashang and joined forces with Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, with a force of more than [-].After Li Yuan entered Chang'an, he asked Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin to lead troops to station around Chang'an City.Li Yuan and all the civil and military forces supported the acting king Yang You as the emperor, respected Yang Guang as the overlord, and changed the Yuan to Yining.Yang You named Li Yuan the king of Tang, Li Jian the prince's son, and asked Li Jiancheng to manage affairs.

In the second year of Yining (618), Li Jiancheng was named General of Fujun and Marshal of the East. He led Li Shimin and other [-] (some say [-]) soldiers to the east to seize Luoyang. April, Li Jiancheng returned to Chang'an, Sui Dynasty Emperor Gong Yang You granted Li Jian the title of minister.