Chapter 22 2. Do what you like: Pei Ji assists in raising troops

When accomplishing an earth-shattering event, capable helpers are indispensable, and among these helpers, some people even play a decisive role, and their utility is no less than that of a leader. In Li Tang's development trajectory, Pei Ji has always played an important role.He used to be an old friend of Li Yuan when he was an official in the Sui Dynasty. Later, he offended Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty because of his outspokenness. He was demoted to Taiyuan and served as the supervisor of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty in Taiyuan. Gong became a big housekeeper.But who would have expected that Li Yuan was also sent to Taiyuan by Emperor Sui Yang to stay behind, and the two met here again.

As Li Yuan's old friend, Pei Ji, the two often drink and play chess together, chatting until midnight.Li Yuan's personality is relatively cautious, and Pei Ji is resourceful, so he provided Li Yuan with many good strategies, and Li Yuan would adopt Pei Ji's suggestions on many issues.Li Shimin discovered this soon after he came to Taiyuan with his father. On this day, after Pei Ji sobered up, he opened the window and saw that it was already high in the sun, and the servant waited for him to wash up.After a while, he heard the sound of footsteps "papa", and Pei Ji didn't need to turn his head. Hearing such powerful footsteps, he knew who was coming.

The person who came was Pei Ji's drinking buddy, Longshan Ling Gao Binlian.He and Pei Ji are fellow villagers in Shanxi. When Pei Ji was prosperous in official career, he had supported him in many ways, so after Pei Ji returned to Taiyuan, he would accompany him every day, drinking and having fun with him to relieve his depression.And he himself has a bold personality and a good capacity for alcohol, so Pei Ji also likes to accompany him very much, calling him a "drinking friend". Gao Binlian came to Pei Ji's gate, laughed and said, "Master Pei didn't get up at this time, did he?"

Pei Ji smiled and said, "Drinking with you until midnight last night, I didn't know how much I drank, so I went to rest when I was drunk. It's already this time when I woke up today, did you drink me a lot last night?" Gao Binlian said: "My lord, you are huge, how could you be drunk by me? But yesterday I drank too late with your lord, disturbing your rest, so today I am here to apologize." Pei Ji said, "Oh? How do you want to apologize?" Gao Binlian said with a smile, "It's March in Yangchun, and the peach blossoms in the north of the city are already in full bloom. I know that adults love flowers and wine, so I invite you to go to the north of the city to see peach blossoms today. What do you think?"

When Pei Ji heard this suggestion, he was very happy, so he asked people to prepare chariots and horses, and the group went out of the city. When I came outside the city, I saw patches of peach blossoms blooming as brilliantly as clouds.Pei Ji couldn't help admiring: "Such a beautiful peach grove may be burned by the flames of war at any time, and it's a pity to be slumped in the dust!" Gao Binlian said: "Adults care about the world, but this kind of thing is not something you and I can control. Since you are here in this flower field, don't let down the beautiful scenery." As he said, he found a clean pavilion and arranged the wine and dishes. Pei Ji took his seat.

The two of them had a great time drinking and admiring the flowers.Gao Binlian suggested to Pei Ji again: "Why don't we play pots? The loser drinks alcohol. Those who lose three rounds in a row not only drink, but also spend 100 Wen as wine money. What do you think?" Pei Ji has always lamented that he was born at an untimely time and that his talents were not met, so he turned to drinking and composing poems.But alcohol and gambling have always been inseparable, so over time, he became keen on gambling.Every time if you lose, you will leave indifferently, if you win, you will dance and dance like a child.So as soon as Gao Binlian proposed, he immediately agreed.

Tossing the Pot is a small game among literati. A wine pot is placed far away, and everyone throws it with chopsticks. The one who can win is the winner.After a few rounds, Gao Binlian actually lost a lot.Seeing that he had won so much, Pei Ji couldn't help laughing, and said to Gao Binlian: "You, you, you can drink well, but compared to throwing pots, you are no longer my opponent, and you still want to bet with me." !" Gao Binlian smiled and said: "I just want to let adults have fun!" Pei Ji smiled and said: "These days, you have been drinking with me day after day, and every time you bring good wine. And you have to gamble with me, but your own gambling skills are poor, and you will lose every time you gamble!"

Gao Binlian said: "Good wine and money are exchanged for momentary entertainment. I don't care about winning or losing, I just want to be happy." Pei Ji smiled and said: "But you were not like this before. If someone wanted to gamble before, you would stop me in every possible way, and even persuaded me not to be so addicted to gambling. Why did you suddenly change now? Is there any secret in it? ?” Hearing this question, Gao Binlian couldn't help feeling embarrassed.Pei Ji smiled and said: "You and I are old friends for many years, I don't think you will have any unexpected intentions, but I am afraid that someone will take advantage of you."

Seeing Pei Ji's speculation, Gao Binlian couldn't help but smiled and said, "Master Pei, I'll tell you the truth. There are indeed people who use me, but he doesn't have any unexpected intentions." When Pei Ji heard this, he asked suspiciously, "Then who is he? Why did he do this?" Gao Binlian said: "My lord is familiar with him, he is the second son of Li Yuan's family - Li Shimin." After hearing this, Pei Ji stroked his sparse beard and looked into the distance and said, "Second Young Master? Why did he ask you to do this?" Gao Binlian said: "Second Young Master has always respected you, and thought that you were really inferior to being relegated to Jinyang Palace, so he gave you a lot of money and let me accompany you every day. I will definitely be able to use it in the future, so I will try my best to make you happy every day."

Pei Ji nodded, picked up the wine glass and drank it down in one gulp.He knew that Li Shimin's purpose must not stop there. That night, a visitor came to Pei Ji's study, and it was Li Shimin whom he and Gao Binlian talked about during the day.Pei Ji asked Li Shimin: "Second Young Master, why do you let Gao Binlian drink with me every day, and deliberately lose money to me?" Li Shimin saw that his personality was straightforward and unobtrusive, so he stood up and said, "Please don't blame me for this matter. I have always thought that you are a rare talent. I saw you drinking with my father many times, and I was deeply moved." The situation is turbulent, and I feel that my talents are not met, so I ordered someone to accompany you. Who would have thought that you would see through it, so I came here today to ask for your forgiveness!"

Pei Ji smiled and said: "It's rare that the young master has such a heart. Although your elder brother and younger brother are not in Taiyuan, I am also very happy to have a caring person like you by your father's side." Unexpectedly, Li Shimin sighed and said: "You don't know something. Although Shimin is with his father every day, sometimes he really doesn't know what to do." When Pei Ji heard this, he became interested, and asked, "Second Young Master is extremely talented, what makes you so difficult?" Li Shimin said: "Now the world is unstable, the emperor is tyrannical, the people are in dire straits, and many rebel armies have sprung up in various places. Although Taiyuan is still calm for the time being, it is inevitable that one day the flames of war will burn here. I have advised my father many times, hoping that he will soon Make plans, but my father has a kind heart and has been unwilling to listen to my advice." Pei Ji said, "Why don't you persuade him that he doesn't listen?" Li Shimin looked up at Pei Ji, and saw that his eyes were deep, and he couldn't see what he was thinking at all.But the matter has come to this day, Li Shimin gritted his teeth and said boldly: "I advise my father to raise an army!" Pei Ji shook his head, and said with an unfathomable smile on his face: "Second Young Master, do you know what this sentence means? You are not afraid that I will sue you to the emperor and punish you for treason. Nine clans!" Li Shimin said firmly: "I know you won't! You have the talent to help the people, and you want to do something practical for the people, but you are born with such a tyrant. Ever since I came to Taiyuan, I have seen you I'm very frustrated and depressed all day long. If we can overthrow this tyrant and restore the world to a clean world, I think you will definitely support it!" After listening to Li Shimin's words, Pei Ji smiled and said, "You young man, although you are not old, but you have a vicious vision! Yes, I am a bit frustrated, but it doesn't mean I want to seek rebellion!" Li Shimin said: "You are not a thing in the pool. I don't think you would want to be a palace supervisor for the rest of your life in Taiyuan! Don't you want to make a big career?" Pei Ji laughed loudly, and said: "Second Young Master, you are really a man who dares to speak! You dare to say such things, what else would you be afraid of! But you are so well-intentioned, and I like you, Did you just tell me this?" Li Shimin said: "When I persuaded my father, he always thought that I was too young and too impulsive. But you are different. You and him are old friends for many years, and you know his temper well. If you can persuade him, I will Surely he will listen to you." Pei Ji said: "Your father is a cautious person. He knows how dangerous these things are. As long as you take this step, there will be no turning back. That's why he doesn't listen to you. You want I persuaded him, but I think it is very difficult." Li Shimin said: "I know that this kind of thing is very risky, but as long as you act, even if my father doesn't obey, he will consider it carefully." Under Li Shimin's persuasion, Pei Ji felt his sincerity and agreed to persuade Li Yuan.He took advantage of Li Shimin's way of approaching him, and arranged for Li Yuan to accompany Li Yuan in the Jinyang Palace.Under the repeated persuasion of Li Shimin and Pei Ji, Li Yuan decided to overthrow the Sui Dynasty and replace it after careful consideration.Pei Ji took out 50,000 hu of rice grain, 50,000 pieces of satin of various colors, and 400,000 armor from Jinyang Palace. These supplies and fodder were very important support for Li Yuan's army. Through contacts, Li Shimin got Pei Ji's support.During important events such as Li Yuan's rebellion and proclaiming emperor, Pei Ji stood with Li Shimin and gave him a lot of advice and help. Remonstrance made Li Yuan determined to accept the throne.After the founding of Li Tang, Pei Ji has always been valued by Li Yuan and Li Shimin's father and son. He once sat with Li Yuan, and often stayed in the palace to sleep after the court was over. His suggestions were generally taken seriously. .If Li Yuan and Li Shimin were a banner during the establishment of Li Tang, then Pei Ji can definitely be called the flagpole of this banner.