Li Jiancheng followed his father for many years and has always been his father's assistant. He rarely has his own opinions and often executes his father's instructions. It is precisely because of this that he gained Li Yuan's trust. This is Li Jiancheng's way of dealing with the world, concealing his personality and showing obedience. He hopes to accept his father's throne safely.

However, the strength of his brother Shimin in the case of his fourth brother Li Yuanji made Li Jiancheng feel a threat. Although Shimin has not threatened his position as prince, if he allows this momentum to develop, Shimin will sooner or later threaten his position as prince.

What worries Li Jiancheng even more was that his father did not seem to be disgusted with Shimin's strength, but instead had a willing attitude. Li Jiancheng began to be alert in his heart. He realized that he could no longer be the same as before and obeyed blindly. He had to show his ability. Li Jiancheng also knew that his father was in a passive decline and urgently needed to get rid of the unfavorable situation. Li Jiancheng knew that his opportunity had come. This time, he seized the opportunity, put forward his own opinions, and won the praise of his father.

But a suggestion for the imperial examination is not enough. He still needs to put forward more powerful suggestions and specific plans to get rid of the predicament.

Seeing that his father was concentrating on hearing his suggestions, Li Jiancheng said calmly: "Father, my second suggestion is that my son-in-law advocates peace with the Northern Sui Dynasty and eliminates the hostility between us and the Northern Sui Dynasty."

Li Jiancheng considered this suggestion for a long time, and he wanted to make it several times, but the timing was wrong. Hongnong County suffered a crushing defeat, so he could not make it. It would stimulate the hearts of many people and be regarded as weak surrender. Now, as time goes by, the shadow of Hongnong's defeat has faded, and Li Jiancheng thought that the time was ripe. Today, he took advantage of this opportunity to solemnly put forward this major suggestion to his father.

Li Yuan looked very serious and made peace with Bei Sui. This was undoubtedly an admission that Bei Sui occupied Hedong, which made him a little emotionally difficult to accept. Li Yuan walked to the window with his hands behind his back and said nothing for a long time.

Li Jiancheng continued: "Father, the reason why Hongnong was defeated was because of our strategic mistakes, or our strategy was unclear. We did not figure out whether to advance eastward or restore Hedong. If we were just to advance eastward, we should not have been stationed in Pujin Dun. Threat Hedong, which made Yang Yuanqing think that our purpose of advancing eastward was to regain Hedong, so he joined forces with Wang Shichong to defeat us. But if we really wanted to take back Hedong, we should not have occupied Hongnong County. We just need to advance from Pujin Dun, but we occupied Hongnong County. Wang Shichong felt the threat, Father, this is the fundamental reason for our Hongnong defeat."

"I know too!"

Li Yuan's voice was very low. Although he never admitted it, he knew in his heart that it was his strategic mistake that led to Hongnong's miserable defeat, which caused the Tang Dynasty's plan to advance eastward to a great blow.

"Father, Yang Yuanqing's strategy is already very clear. He wants to compete for Hebei, so he formed an alliance with Wang Shichong to stabilize the south. Recently, Erchen has also heard some statements. Many people think that we can take advantage of Yang Yuanqing's attack on Hebei. We attack Hedong from behind. Erchen thinks that this is an extremely dangerous idea. If we do not face the reality and continue to fight with Yang Yuanqing, we will inevitably suffer both losses in the end. Our foundation will be destroyed and will achieve other forces."

Li Yuan didn't say anything for a long time. Many people Li Jiancheng said, including him, but that was the past. Since Hongnong's defeat, his thoughts became increasingly weak. Since the establishment of the Northern Sui Dynasty, he had realized that he had not yet the ability to destroy this new dynasty that was on par with the Tang Dynasty. Similarly, the Northern Sui Dynasty did not have the ability to destroy the Tang Dynasty. The two regimes would coexist for a period of time. So in what way is it coexisting, whether it is a Cold War hostility, or as Li Jiancheng said, to temporarily reconcile, Li Yuan has indeed not made up his mind.

Li Jiancheng saw his father's hesitation and advised: "After reaching a reconciliation with Yang Yuanqing, we can concentrate on dealing with internal affairs and destroying Xue Ju and his father, and we also need time."

"But... he will inevitably make a request not to enter Hongnong County. What should we do if we plan to go east?"

"Father, this is actually just a ceasefire and reconciliation, not an alliance clause. As long as our time is ripe, we can throw this reconciliation away at any time without being bound by it. In fact, Yang Yuanqing is the same. When his Hebei matter is completed, he will also turn around to deal with us. However, during this period, everyone maintains a tacit reconciliation, which will help prevent some unnecessary misunderstandings. As for the eastward advance, we can go to Wuguan to Nanyang, which is actually the same."

Li Yuan pondered for a long time and sighed softly, "It makes sense. Now I really don't want to be an enemy with Yang Yuanqing. The Tongguan incident has a big blow to our army. I need time to repair it. Let's do this! First send someone to Taiyuan to contact Yang Yuanqing, see the other party's attitude, and then determine if there is a possibility of reconciliation..."

Speaking of this, Li Yuan looked back at his eldest son, "Who do you think is more appropriate to send?"

Li Jiancheng was confident about the issue of the candidate. He hurriedly said: "This matter has not become a resolution of the court. It is best to be more secretive and not to send court officials. At the same time, in order to show the father's attention and sincerity in this matter, the son minister suggested that it would be the most appropriate for the uncle Shentong to go."

Li Yuan thought about it and said that it was indeed the most suitable for his brother Li Shentong to go, so he nodded and agreed, "Okay! Let him go to Taiyuan."

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Since the defeat of the coalition forces of Li Yuan and Li Gui, Xue Ju, the overlord of the Western Qin Dynasty, has not been able to recover his vitality. Although he still occupied five counties including Kuanghan County, Xiping County, Jiaohe County, Heyuan County and Xihai County, with a vast territory, but his population is very sparse and insufficient money and food, which made him a big problem to replenish his troops.

Xue Ju tried his best to recruit more than 20,000 foreign troops such as Qiang, Di, Tuyuhun, etc., but his military strength was still not more than 50,000. Compared with his 130,000 army at his peak, it was a 60% reduction.

What made Xue Ju even more troubled was that he recruited the Western Rong as troops, which caused the forces of Tuyuhun and Qiang to expand eastward rapidly, one grew and the other disappeared, and a large number of Han people moved to Tianshui, Jincheng, and Longxi, and that had become the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Not only did the Han people move eastward, but many Han officials in his court also parted without saying goodbye and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. The biggest loss was his prime minister, Xiao Yu, the former Minister of the Civil Affairs Department of the Sui Dynasty, and left with gold and seals.

In just one month, his court officials were reduced by half, which hit Xue Ju. Most of the time, he spent drinking to drown his sorrows. He was addicted to wine and singing and dancing, without caring about the government affairs.

At this moment, his two sons, Crown Prince Xue Rengao and King Xue Renyue of Jin, had an internal conflict. Xue Rengao was supported by General Luohu and had 20,000 troops. King Xue Renyue of Jin, also had 20,000 troops. The two fought openly and secretly, plundering each other's population and food. The internal struggle was very fierce, greatly weakening the strength of Western Qin.

Xue Ju turned a blind eye to the chaos that occurred in the Western Qin State. His confidant adviser Hao Yuan took back his military power and stopped his brothers' internal struggle. He also ignored him. Soon, Hao Yuan died of anxiety and anger. No one dared to persuade Xue Ju.

At night, Xue Ju's palace in Huangshui County, Xiping County, was singing and dancing, and laughing in the sound of tender laughter. From time to time, you can hear Xue Ju's wild laughter. The guards frowned and smiled bitterly, feeling helpless because of the decadence of the lord.

About twenty miles south of Huangshui County, an army quietly opened to the capital. This was the 20,000 troops led by King Xue Renyue of Jin. He had arrived silently at the capital of the Western Qin State.

Xue Ju divided his army into three, and ordered the prince Xue Rengao and general Zong Luohu to lead 20,000 troops to guard Kuanghan County. He also ordered the second son, King Xue Renyue of Jin and general Liang Shidu, to lead 20,000 troops to guard Jiuhe County and Heyuan County. He himself led 8,000 people to guard Xiping County, and concentrated all the money and grain in the capital Huangshui County to control the two sons.

The reason why Xue Renyue led his army to Huangshui City was because his military rations were about to be cut off and he urged his father's emperor several times. He could not get a response. Xue Renyue received news that his brother Xue Rengao also had no food and could not urge him. Under the persuasion of Liang Shidu, Xue Renyue resolutely made up his mind that he would launch a mutiny before his brother and seize power and food. For this reason, he used a lot of money to bribe the general Zhong Lisu and the eunuch Duobao around his father.

In the darkness, Xue Renyue was waiting for the news nervously. The Liang Shi beside him patted his shoulder and smiled: "Your Highness seized power according to the will of heaven and military. No one wants the Western Qin Kingdom to die like this. As long as your Highness can work hard to govern and actively prepare for war after seizing power, I believe your Highness will receive support from everyone, and I will also find a way to get the Northern Sui support your Highness."

Xue Renyue sighed and said, "What's the use of Bei Sui support me? Can it support me with money and food?"

Liang Shi's eyes narrowed into a slit, and a cunning smile flashed from time to time. He comforted Xue Renyue earnestly and said, "It must be. We must look farther away. The Tang Dynasty will not be able to keep consuming it with us. Sooner or later we will withdraw our troops back to Guanzhong. Our opportunity will come. Your Highness does not have to worry about the future. Now we seize power first, then cut off the grain of the Shihan County and force them to surrender. We have 40,000 troops in our hands, which is enough to compete with the Tang army."

Xue Renyue nodded silently, and his eyes turned to the distant Huangshui County. Can he succeed tonight?

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The golden wall in the palace is brilliant, and the lights shine the hall as daylight. The musicians are playing melodious songs on both sides, and a group of dancers are dancing gracefully.

The ivory gold table on the jade steps was filled with delicious food. Xue Ju had no idea how much wine he had drunk. He was already in a semi-drunk state, but he was very excited. There were three beautiful girls on both sides, holding him to pour wine and pounding his legs, scratching his ears and foreheads, which made Xue Ju very helpful.

"Okay! You dance well." Xue Ku applauded loudly.

At this time, his close eunuch Duobao walked forward with an ivory box and said with a flattering smile: "Your Majesty, the secret spirit pill is here."

Xue Ju was very energetic, "Give it to me!"

The Secret Pill is a magical medicine presented by a Tuyuhun wizard. It is said that you can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk and can control hundreds of women every day. Xue Ju has been waiting for it.

He took the box and opened it impatiently, and saw three vermilion pills placed inside, as big as bird's eggs.

Xue Ju picked up a pill and held it under the light. There was a faint glow on the pill. He squinted his eyes and stared for a while, then turned around and asked the eunuch, "Do you just take it directly?"

"The wizard said that one tablet a day will be effective immediately after taking it with wine. Eat three tablets in a row and can last for half a year."

Xue Ju laughed, "Please take it with wine, okay! I like it."

Without hesitation, he put the pills in his mouth and swallowed them. He raised his glass and drank them all, slowly closing his eyes, as if waiting for the medicinal power to be exerted.

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That night, Xue Ju died suddenly. King Xue Renyue of Jin took advantage of the night to seize the capital of Huangshui City, the Western Qin State. He blocked the news and kept the funeral secretly. Then he forged an edict to Prince Xuan Xue Rengao to enter Beijing to discuss fighting against the Tang army.

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Chapter completed!