Traveling through the troubled times of Sui and Tang Dynasties

In February of the sixth year of Wude (623), Liu Heita and his rebel generals were beheaded together.

Afterwards, when the disparity between the enemy and us was too great, Wei Gong Li Mi, who guarded the Wagangzhai, weighed the pros and cons, opened the city gate, joined hands with all the civil and military officials and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, bowed his head and bowed his head to the Great Wei State, and Li Yuan Overjoyed, he worshiped Li Mi as Guangluqing, made Xing Guogong, married his cousin to Li Mi, and called Li Mi his younger brother.

So far, the Tang army has become as powerful as a rainbow, and there is no other overlord in the world who can stand against it.

But in the situation of the Tang Dynasty, there are still people who don't know how to live or die, and have to hit people on the head. Who is it?

It was Goguryeo, a relatively large country in the Northeast that made Emperor Sui Yang rack his brains and think hard, but suffered repeated defeats.

If the land occupied by Goguryeo dates back to before the Western Zhou Dynasty and down to the Wei and Jin Dynasties, it belongs to Liaodong and is our territory in the Central Plains.

Later, although Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty granted the title of King of Goryeo, Goguryeo, which gradually occupied the dominant position in Liaodong, was not satisfied with the status quo and had a gap with the Sui Dynasty. Sneaky attack.At that time, Yang Jian was already dissatisfied, and his relationship with Goguryeo was also ups and downs.In the period of Yang Guang, the people of Goguryeo looked at "Hey, this boy is not as good as his old man", and even looked down on the Sui Dynasty. Even Yang Guang asked for an audience, but he didn't come, which directly annoyed Yang Guang , This led to Yang Guang's three expeditions to Goguryeo, but the results were not satisfactory, and he returned without success three times. It also allowed Goguryeo to see the "true strength" of the Sui Dynasty, and the Goguryeo authorities even sneered in their hearts.

Although the Sui Dynasty has now been overthrown and the new regime of the Li family was established, the Great Tang Dynasty was established, but Goguryeo did not hesitate to participate in Li Yuan's conquests and pacification of the country. Look, for a while, he colluded with the Turks to provoke the Tang army, and for a while, he took advantage of you When you have no time, bully your allies, harass your borders for a while, engage in surprise attacks, and rob your food and grass... Anyway, sneaky and nasty things are often done.

Li Yuan was under attack at the time, and couldn't take care of himself. Although he was annoyed at Goguryeo's behavior as a clown, he couldn't take care of it. The Li family has always been able to bend and stretch. No, now that the world is at peace, he thinks of a good neighbor.

Speaking of which, the reason why Li Yuan thought of this good neighbor was that Goguryeo was too embarrassing.

In 623 A.D., the birthday of Li Yuan, it was also the first year that the Tang Dynasty pacified the world. After years of wars, the whole country celebrated together. All the allies and dependent countries of the Tang Dynasty came, but Goguryeo was missing.

Li Yuan, who originally wanted to settle accounts after the fall, was directly annoyed by Goguryeo's move.

In addition to Prince Li Jiancheng's fanning the flames, Li Yuan ordered Luo Cheng to lead the army to attack Goguryeo at the birthday banquet, and Prince Li Jiancheng supervised the army to teach this small country a lesson.

Seeing Li Jiancheng standing sideways with downcast eyes, Li Shimin couldn't help frowning, and when he turned to the tall man, the man's gaze skipped over him and fell to the side, with a little dodge, Li Shimin's eyes darkened How could he not know what his father meant.Back then, when fighting against Wang Shichong and other rebels, my father held his hand in private and promised: "If my son can pacify the country for my father, my father will not treat you badly, and I will be the prince for you. Do it." Now, he has already returned triumphantly, and his father rewarded the three armies, but he didn't mention the promise that day, which made Li Shimin's heart chill.

Right now, he actually asked the prince to supervise the army, and Luo Cheng led the general to attack Goguryeo. He wanted to provide the prince with an opportunity to build military merits, so that the prince could be enthroned in a legitimate way.Thinking of this, Li Shimin lowered his eyes, and his hands hanging on both sides have already clenched into fists. Father, if you didn't promise at the beginning, it's all right. I haven't played in the battle. I may still be His Highness King Qin of the Tang Dynasty, and assist the prince conscientiously Your Highness, be his good brother.But now, under your deliberate connivance, I have already made great military achievements, overshadowed by my achievements, and have been deeply feared by the prince's staff. If one day you abdicate and the prince ascends the throne, one can imagine what will happen to me.

When Li Shimin's heart was full of waves, all the generals were also indignant at His Majesty's will to take back His Royal Highness Qin's military amulet, order him to recuperate in Chang'an City, and reward him generously to flow into the Qin Palace.The joys, anger, sorrows and joys of the military generals are not as good as those of the civil servants. They are all visible, and they have the meaning of complaining for the King of Qin. Doesn't this make it clear that they will rise up and fall in secret, and seize the military power of the King of Qin?

Seeing this situation, the civil servants who looked forward to His Royal Highness cried out inwardly. It seems that His Highness King Qin has already won the favor of generals in several battles. It is extremely unfavorable, so it is imperative for the crown prince to conquer Goguryeo this time, so as to restore the crown prince's status in the hearts of everyone. Don't let those military generals and neighboring countries think that there is only one King Qin who is brave and good at fighting in the Tang Dynasty, and knows people and uses them well. Datang also has a crown prince.

This is not only the idea of ​​the staff of the Prince's Mansion, but also Li Yuan's idea.

Although Li Yuan highly appreciated Li Shimin's pacification of the Great Tang Dynasty, but appreciation was nothing but appreciation, and once it involved himself, he would also be annoyed.Look at the military generals of the Tang Dynasty, only His Royal Highness King Qin of the Tang Dynasty is in his eyes, is he still the emperor?

Li Yuan immediately became dissatisfied with Li Shimin, looking at him with deep and gloomy eyes, even offsetting most of the military achievements he brought before.

A birthday banquet ended under their own ulterior motives.

As soon as Li Shimin came down from the banquet, he was surrounded by a group of generals. Everyone spoke to each other and comforted His Highness King Qin with clumsy words, which made Li Shimin feel better. He forced a smile and said: " You brothers don't need to worry about me, the emperor also pity me, seeing me fighting for years, he sympathizes with me, so he let me stay in Chang'an city to have a good rest."

"His Royal Highness Qin Wang, that's what you think. We can all see that the emperor has made it clear that he wants to cut your power!" Shan Xiongxin said bluntly.Shan Xiongxin didn't have a good impression of Li Yuan at all, but his eldest brother was killed by Li Yuan by mistake. The reason why he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty was at first because of Brother Luo, and later he was overwhelmed by His Royal Highness King Qin's magnanimity. He is willing to serve him, but now, there is an additional layer of relationship between the two of them, that is, His Royal Highness King Qin is very likely to become Shan Xiongxin's brother-in-law.It turned out that Shan Yingying got acquainted with Li Shimin when the generals besieged Luoyang.Shan Yingying's innocence and straightforward personality deeply attracted Li Shimin. Although Li Shimin is not as handsome as Luo Cheng, he is handsome, handsome, and sincere. The most important point is that he is interested in Shan Yingying!Therefore, compared to Luo Cheng's indifference and remoteness, the little girl who had never been involved in love affairs became more enthusiastic.Then, as the second brother of the Shan family, he stood unswervingly in Li Shimin's camp.

As soon as the second elder brother of the Shan family finished speaking, the darkness in Li Shimin's eyes flashed. He didn't know what his father meant, but if he didn't obey, he would be resisting the order. What can he do?

"Hmph... what prince, since he can fight Goguryeo, then go for it. What will you do to sponsor the younger brother of the Luo family? Don't you have to rely on the younger brother of the Luo family to win military merits for him? I see his delicate skin and tender flesh." , I’m afraid he’ll be tired before going to the battlefield, he really thinks everyone can go to the battlefield? Don’t drag the Luo family brother down.” Cheng Yaojin groaned, and before he finished speaking, he was caught by You Jun Da Ge covered his mouth, and the faltering words leaked out from the cracks in his hands, "I... I said why are you covering my mouth? It was originally, he looked like this, how could he be used for war, once on the battlefield, he would be killed by a knife and a gun. No eyes, no time to take care of himself, Brother Luo still has to take care of him...he is not a hindrance, what is he doing?"

"Oh, my ancestors, you don't know what can be said and what can't be said? You are still so outspoken." You Junda was in a hurry. This idiot has been emperor for a few days, and he is not used to it. I can't change it, really think the crown prince is as easy to talk as King Qin?Even if His Highness the Crown Prince does nothing, it is His Highness the Crown Prince. Killing you is as easy as killing a chicken.

"His Royal Highness King Qin, let me say that the Emperor is jealous of you and wants to empty you. If His Highness the Crown Prince wins this time and returns, then your previous achievements will be concealed, and you will only be making wedding dresses for His Highness the Crown Prince." Xu Maogong glanced at Li Shimin meaningfully.

Li Shimin sighed and said: "I don't know, it's just... hey, brothers, there is no need to say more, the sacred will is hard to violate, let's let it go."

Seeing Luo Cheng in a blink of an eye, he stretched out his hand and patted Luo Cheng on the shoulder and said, "Little brother Luo, don't listen to the nonsense of the brothers. His Royal Highness is the brother of my mother, and my elder brother's safety is entrusted to you. Please be careful." Protect him as you protect me, and return in triumph."

Luo Cheng nodded and said: "King Qin, don't worry." At that time, Luo Cheng hadn't thought that the person he promised to protect was thinking of killing himself.

Seeing King Qin's disappointment, they still think about their brothers and family, and they believe that he is the master of the Ming Dynasty, and they are worthless for King Qin. It's not a good stubble, and a good stubble will not rebel. Since Li Shimin is recognized as the master of the Ming Dynasty, even Li Yuan has never taken it seriously.It is precisely because Li Yuan feels this deeply that he is quite afraid of Li Shimin.

On the other side, the prince's mansion also welcomed uninvited guests.

Not long after Li Jiancheng returned home, he heard a noise coming from outside the door. He opened the door, stepped out of the study, and bumped into Li Yuanji, who was in a hurry. Should someone else go? Luo Cheng finally came back, so let him rest."

Li Jiancheng was displeased when he heard the tone of accountability from his brother who was always close to him, but he didn't show it on his face, he just smiled lightly and said, "Why, can't bear it?"

Li Yuanji's cheeks were slightly flushed due to being teased by him, but he quickly thought of the important business of coming here: "Brother, why don't you change to a general. Don't look at Luo Cheng's martial arts skills, in fact, he likes to be brave, and he is also a good general." Emphasizing friendship, he has always been on the front line. At the time when Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty led hundreds of thousands of troops, he failed to make Goguryeo surrender. Luo Cheng alone may not be his opponent." After all, he kindly cited one or two generals, "I think That black-faced Yuchi Gong is good." What he thought in his mind was that it would be better if this Heitantou died on the battlefield of conquest, and he dared to hurt Luo Cheng, our Highness Qi Wang has a very small mind, and he remembers this matter very clearly.

"Otherwise, then Qin Qiong is not bad, isn't he called Xiao Mengchang? Presumably, he is also good at martial arts." Luo Chengsu valued his cousin, and he was always by his side on weekdays. If he was sent to the battlefield Going up, if he can't come back for a year or so, he can take the place of staying by Luo Cheng's side, His Royal Highness Qi Wang is very thoughtful.

"That's enough!" Li Jiancheng's gentleness and elegance were finally ruined, and he frowned slightly, "Yuanji, is it possible that mere Luo Cheng is as important as your eldest brother in your heart? Looking at the court, the Luo family Luo Cheng has the most powerful martial arts. The fourth younger brother Yuanba had to make concessions, and with him, the conquest of Goguryeo would definitely be more effective with half the effort."

Seeing that Li Yuanji was silent, Li Jiancheng's tone became gentle again, with a hint of confiding in his heart: "Yuanji, Li Shimin's reputation has already surpassed mine by virtue of his illustrious military exploits. The position of crown prince is likely to change hands. This time, sponsoring Luo as a general is also the idea of ​​the staff in the mansion and myself."

Li Yuanji stared at Li Jiancheng, and said coldly, "Since when did Big Brother become so timid?"

"Yuanji!"

"Since childhood, in Yuan Ji's mind, the eldest brother has always been the best one. He is invincible in culture and martial arts. Since when did the eldest brother start to lose confidence? He has to rely on others. What is he, Li Shimin? He No matter how powerful you are, you are still just a mere lord, the elder brother is the real prince, if there is no accident, sooner or later you will inherit the Great Tang Dynasty."

"Yuanji, don't talk nonsense!" Li Jiancheng twitched his lips. Now that his father is in good health, how could he say such outrageous words?

"Furthermore, if eldest brother really wants that position, Yuan Ji will help you. With the affection between you and me as a brother, is it possible that elder brother can't trust me? Don't forget, elder brother, that Yuan Ji still has more than 50 military power in his hands. But, don't bring Luo Cheng into this!" Li Yuanji's voice raised slightly, so solemn that Li Jiancheng looked sideways at his arrogant and domineering younger brother since childhood, and felt a little in awe, "Whether it's you, me, or the second brother Fox, no matter how hard we fight, the emperor won't kill his son in the end, but Luo Cheng is different, he doesn't have this amulet."

"Yuan Ji, you are His Royal Highness King Qi of the Tang Dynasty, why should you have a soft spot for Luo Cheng? No matter how good Luo Cheng is, no matter how good he is... he is still a man." Li Jiancheng blushed and couldn't speak.

"I don't care if he is a man or a woman. I only know that over the years, I have killed countless people and calculated countless people. I have never had anyone who really cared about me. The nanny is one of them. One after another, I have brought a lot of benefits to the Chen family from me, even you, eldest brother, may indeed have brotherly affection for me, but it can't compare to the appreciation of the emperor's "a good brother who loves his younger brother"."

"Yuanji you!" Li Jiancheng wanted to say - you miss me so much!But he didn't say it in the end, but he had selfish intentions, so it's better to have nothing for no reason.

"Brother, do you know when I changed my mind about Luo Cheng?" Li Yuanji said to himself, "It was the time my father ordered me to go to Wagang Village to call back my brother-in-law."

Li Jiancheng remembered that it was not long after the uprising in Jinan Prefecture. Yang Guang sent his generals to destroy the rebels. His father had just learned that his brother-in-law Chai Shao was also among the rebels, so he ordered Yuanji to secretly go to Wagang Village and recall Chai Shao. Later, I heard that Yuan Ji almost lost his life at the hands of Wei Wentong and was seriously injured. Fortunately, Luo Cheng rescued him.

"That day, Wei Wentong's big knife drove me to a dead end. I was dripping with blood, and when I was about to die in pain, my head went blank, and I suddenly realized that there is no one worthy of my nostalgia in this life. At that time, I hugged and died If I make up my mind, I will die... I never thought that he would descend from the sky and extend a helping hand to me, and at that moment, his unparalleled handsome face left a mark in my heart."

Li Jiancheng frowned slightly, but did not interrupt.

"Afterwards, he took care of my injuries and deliberately slowed down his pace. He refused to admit it and pretended to be indifferent. How could he know that I didn't fall asleep at all that night, and the injuries on my body were so painful. How could it be possible to sleep, I leaned against the tree, embraced my body, and shivered, just when I thought I would faint from the pain, a warm embrace surrounded me, and I could smell a fresh scent from my nostrils. Taste. He said to me, he doesn't want me to die...he doesn't want me to die...just hold on, hold on. Not specially for you.) Afterwards, he babbled and told me many things, many people, although I didn’t know him, but his voice made me very stable, and I fell asleep unknowingly, and when I woke up, I found that he was far away from me, as if he didn't take care of me at all that night, and he didn't talk to me, but his eyes that inadvertently turned his eyes and stayed on my wound secretly couldn't deceive anyone, even if I No matter how bad he is, he still will never leave me."

"Brother, I have been injured countless times since I was a child, and how many people have cared about my life and death, and how many people can let go of their bodies and tell me clearly that he doesn't want me to die, as long as I live, there is hope. Just go down... At that moment, I deeply felt that I was needed."

"Brother, I beg you, please change someone, don't involve Luo Cheng in our brothers' fight, he is pure-hearted, he is no match for you and Erhu, don't let him become a victim of the fight between you two. "

Li Jiancheng met Li Yuanji's expectant eyes, and his heart moved, but the corner of his eyes turned to the slightly moving skirt behind the screen, and when he thought of what Ruyi said - that Luo Cheng is now the bargaining chip for King Qin to win the throne, not except Luo Cheng, The position of the crown prince is bound to be unstable. Moreover, Li Jiancheng also has selfish intentions. He does not allow the royal family to spread unacceptable abnormal love and damage the reputation of the Li family. Therefore, the long-term pain is worse than the short-term pain. The culprit must die.