~Date: ~October 10th~

Because Asuna Kunji's tribe was ambushed by the Sui army in Anyuan City and suffered a crushing defeat, the losses were more than 20,000 people. Asuna Kunji himself was also killed by the Sui army. This news made Duji feel deeply sad.

But what he was even more unacceptable was that more than 40,000 casualties in Dali City, and 17,000 casualties were lost to attack Yongfeng County. In addition, more than 20,000 people were killed by Asuna Kunji's troops, the 300,000 Turkic troops had already lost nearly 80,000. The huge casualties forced Duji to change his strategy, shrink the front line, and no longer attack in full swing, but instead concentrate on attacking Dali City and Hekou City.

On the one hand, he mobilized heavy troops to attack Kawaguchi City. On the other hand, since his troops in Dali City were reduced to 130,000, the powerful attack was difficult to sustain, so he had to switch from attack to confrontation.

The battle in Fengzhou began to change from the initial passive defense to the confrontation between the two armies, and the balance of the battle was gradually tilting towards the Sui army.

In Hedong, Li Yuan raised an army with great momentum. Hedong counties responded with great momentum. Li Yuan ordered the military discipline to be strictly controlled, and those who raped and robbed were killed. His military discipline was strict and did not violate it at all. He was deeply loved by the scholars and the people. In addition, the Li Yuan family had a great reputation and countless people participated in Li Yuan's army. In just half a month, his military strength increased from 200,000 to 300,000.

The eldest son Li Jiancheng believed that too much force would increase the burden on the people, and being too poor to be refined is not conducive to combat, and the quality is uneven, making it difficult to control military discipline, so he advised his father to disarmament.

The adviser Liu Wenjing also advised Li Yuan to recruit Hedong people for a few days and use the Guanlong army more often. Li Yuan deeply agreed and ordered the army to be rectified in Lingshi County, and the old and weak and scoundrels were eliminated. The younger brothers were left, and the sons were left, and the fathers were left. All those who left the army sent rice and grain to appease them.

After nearly half a month of rectification, his troops were reduced from 300,000 to 180,000, and his army gradually became elite. At this time, the Sui general Song Laosheng led 20,000 elite troops to be deployed in Huoyi County, occupying a dangerous place. Li Shimin seized the Jiahu Fort and led 30,000 troops to confront the Sui army.

In the evening of that day, Li Yuan was discussing military information with Liu Wenjing in the central army's tent. A personal soldier reported in front of the tent, "Duke Longxi and Dunhuang asked for a meeting!"

Duke Longxi is Li Jiancheng and Duke Duke Duke Duke Duke Duke Duke Li Shimin. The two brothers came to ask for a meeting at the same time, which made Li Yuan a little surprised, so he nodded, "Send them in!"

For a moment, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin walked into the tent and bowed, "See father!"

"You two come together, is there anything wrong?"

Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "Actually, they didn't come together. Shimin and I met in front of the military camp, but they all came for the same thing."

"What's the matter?" Li Yuan asked with a look at their brothers.

Li Shimin bowed and said, "Father, the child's soldiers are stationed in Jiahu Fort. I am willing to lead the elite troops to seize Huoyi County and kill Song Laosheng's head to his father."

Li Yuan understood a little, and he asked Li Jiancheng again, "Do you think so too?"

Li Jiancheng hurriedly said: "Report to my father, the child has not made any achievements since the uprising of the army. He also asked for his second brother to ask for his contributions to the child. He begged his father to hand over the important task of attacking Huoyi County. The child only took 30,000 people, and within ten days, Huoyi County will definitely be captured."

Li Shimin laughed, "Why do you need to attack forcefully? I only need three thousand people to take Huoyi County within four days."

Li Yuan's face darkened and he said angrily: "Why don't you say that your brothers are in harmony? Take Huoyi County together and insist on your brothers competing for merit. Did my Li Yuan's army have their own interest groups so soon?"

Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were so scared that they knelt down together. Li Jiancheng lowered his head and said ashamed: "Don't calm down, but the child knows his mistake."

Li Shimin also said: "My father is so serious. The child and his elder brother do not have their own interest groups, and they both want to share their worries for their father."

At this time, Liu Wenjing, who was behind, walked over with a smile and advised Li Yuan: "The army is elite, with high morale. Everyone wants to make meritorious service and win awards. This is a draw for everyone. Gong Tang, why blame their brothers?"

Li Yuan's anger was a little slowed down. In fact, he also knew that using the conflicts of his subordinates to control them was a clever way of defending them. However, Li Yuan did not want conflicts from his son, especially when he was just starting his army, sincerity and unity were even more important.

He glared at his two sons, "Get up! I will spare you this time. I will dare to compete for me next time. I will seize the military power of both of you."

"Yes! The boy dare not."

The two stood up, and Li Yuan asked Li Shimin again, "What are you doing? You can only take Huoyi County in four days with only three thousand troops?"

"Report to my father, when we wiped out the thief general Wu Duaner in Huoyi County last time, the child heard that Zhang Xutuo walked through the secret passage from Huoyi County to Gaobiling and sneaked into Yang Liang's army. The child was worried and sent someone to find this secret passage, which had been found."

Li Shimin took out a map from his arms and placed it on the table. Li Yuan and Liu Wenjing surrounded him. Li Jiancheng hesitated for a moment, then smiled bitterly, and followed him. He actually didn't want to compete for merit. He and Li Shimin alone had 50,000 troops. His left and right commanders Li Xiaogong, Shi Dana and others advised him to get the opportunity to attack Huoyi County. Only then did Li Jiancheng come to ask his father for his order. Seeing that the light on the table was dim, he put an oil lamp on the table. This subtle action made Li Yuan nod and secretly praised the eldest son's magnanimity in his heart.

Li Shimin pointed to the map and said, "Huoyi County is in a dangerous terrain, which blocks the only way to go south. However, you can walk on the Zhangxutuo Road from Gaobiling and walk fifty miles along Huo Mountain to the south of Huoyi County. There are not many people, and I only have 3,000 people to attack Huoyi County and succeed."

"Then how do you deal with Song Laosheng's 20,000 elite soldiers?" Liu Wenjing asked.

"Uncle Shi didn't know that although Song Laosheng was trusted by King Yue, it was because he was Fan Zigai's confidant, not because he had military achievements. In fact, he had no military achievements, but just relying on his qualifications. Fan Zigai was dead, he lost his backer, and Qu Tutong threatened his status. He is eager to make contributions now, and I can take advantage of his eagerness to make contributions. For this reason, when we attacked Xihe County, I had sent a hundred elite soldiers to pretend to be merchants and enter Huoyi County in batches. In addition, Huoyi County County Captain Zhao Shun is also willing to serve us."

Li Yuan asked in surprise: "When did you go to Huoyi County County Captain?"

"Father, Zhao Shun's father is a member of the Changsun family. I asked Changsun Wuji to convince him that he was willing to serve his father."

Li Yuan didn't say anything, he knew nothing about this matter, and his son's scheming was a little too deep.

"Then how do you plan to take advantage of his eagerness to make contributions?" Liu Wenjing continued to ask with interest.

Li Shimin looked at his father timidly. After a while, he murmured: "I have a soldier under my command who looks quite like his father."

Li Yuan and Liu Wenjing looked at each other, and both understood Li Shimin's strategy. Yes, this strategy is likely to be successful. Liu Wenjing gave a thumbs up and praised: "Shimin is such a genius!"

Li Yuan refused to praise his son. He felt a little uncomfortable, so he stroked his beard and smiled faintly: "I am also trying to find someone who looks like me, but I want to take a look at this person."

Li Shimin went down, and Liu Wenjing also said goodbye and left. Only Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng were left in the tent. Li Yuan glanced at his son and said slowly: "It is indeed inappropriate for you to compete with your brother today. It is really inappropriate. It is a pity that you have lost the style of your elder brother."

Li Jiancheng sighed and said ashamed: "Actually, I don't want to fight, but my generals under him have no chance to make meritorious service. They are very anxious. Since I am the commander of the Left Army, I feel very stressed."

Li Yuan was stunned. He understood the difficulties of Jiancheng and pondered for a moment: "You are the prince. My expectation for you is not to lead the army to fight. I will eliminate you for Xiao He and Shimin for Han Xin. You are in charge of government affairs and logistics. Shimin will charge forward. This is how you will be! You are still the commander-in-chief of the left leader, but the specific affairs will be handed over to Xiaogong. If I give him the governor, you don't need to ask. You go to Shangdang County and persuade Sima Yong to surrender to me. If you can persuade Shangdang County to surrender, your contribution is no less than Shimin."

Li Jiancheng breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. In fact, he didn't want to lead the army to fight. That was not what he was good at. He stood up and bowed deeply to his father, "You'll set off now!"

Song Laosheng stood on the wall of Huoyi County and looked at the northern mountains from afar. He felt heavy in his heart, worried about the future of the Great Sui Dynasty. In the past, it was a rebellion, but it had already disturbed the world. Now, Li Yuan, a nobleman of Guanlong, has also rebelled. This is the cornerstone of the Great Sui Dynasty. The cornerstone has been damaged. How long can the Great Sui Dynasty last?

His Highness King Yue handed over the task of stopping Li Yuan from going south. He felt that his shoulders were extremely heavy and he couldn't bear it. However, he did not want to let down His Highness King Yue trust him. Since he was a minister of Sui, he should be loyal to the country and do his best.

At this time, a cavalry rushed towards him in the distance, and the sound of horse hooves woke up the thoughtful old man Song.

"General Song, discover the enemy situation!" The cavalry rushed to the city and shouted.

"What enemy situation has been discovered?"

"An army of three thousand people is coming towards Huoyi County, as if Li Yuan was among them."

Song Laosheng's eyes lit up and he asked again: "Is Li Yuan in it?"

"Biyi saw Li Yuan's flag, but did not see him himself. The army was led by Liu Hongji, and tens of thousands of troops were supported by fifteen miles away."

Old Sheng Song thought for a long time. He had had several dealings with Li Yuan when he was suppressing bandits in Hedong. He could probably guess Li Yuan’s intention. He wanted to persuade him to surrender.

"Hmph! I'm here to my door."

Song Laosheng immediately ordered, "Order 20,000 troops to prepare and capture Li Yuan at any time!"

Song Laosheng led 3,000 people out of the city to wait in line, while the 20,000 troops hid in the city and were on standby at any time.

After a moment, the army of three thousand Li Yuan appeared and got closer and closer. After a mile away, more than a hundred soldiers surrounded Li Yuan and rode forward. A soldier stepped forward and said, "General Song, my lord asked you to come forward and talk."

Song Laosheng saw it clearly. Two hundred steps away, the person surrounded by more than a hundred soldiers was Li Yuan himself. He was overjoyed. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He was so excited that he waved his sword and shouted, "My sons, catch Li Yuan with me!"

He led his army to pounce towards Li Yuan, and 20,000 ambushers in the city rushed out. Li Yuan was so scared that he turned around and fled. Three thousand troops guarded him and fled north. Song Laosheng was not willing to give up and led the army to pursue him. His military strength was far inferior to Li Yuan. Only this opportunity could lead to the weak defeat the strong, but this opportunity was only once, and he would never be able to be lost.

[In history, Song Laosheng was deceived out of the city because Li Yuan had few soldiers]

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Chapter completed!