Chapter 23 3. Right-hand man and right-hand man: Fang Xuanling helped King Qin

After Li Yuan raised his army, he marched quickly because of the long and thorough preparations.On the one hand, the military strength of the Sui Dynasty was greatly depleted in the battles with the rebels in various places; is giant.With the continuous advancement of the war, Li Yuan and Li Shimin are more and more aware of the importance of talents, and they are also deeply worried about the shortage of talents in their own hands.They selected talents from the gentry who came to join them and the rebels who were incorporated, and used them for their use, including Du Ruhui, who had served as Fuyang Lieutenant in the Sui Dynasty.

Du Ruhui's family held high positions in the Northern Zhou Dynasty and the early Sui Dynasty, but because of political strife and other reasons, he could only be an alternate official when he grew up, and he had to wait for many years to get a small official.After Li Yuan raised his troops, Du Ruhui saw that the court was in chaos and the emperor was bewildered, so he decided to join Li Yuan.He quickly won the appreciation of Li Shimin with his intelligence and courage, and became a core figure in the think tank group. Li Shimin's team set off from Taiyuan all the way, pacified the rebels in Fenyang and other places, and then went all the way north.Although the march was smooth, Li Shimin still frowned from time to time.Seeing this, Du Ruhui asked: "Now our team is in dire straits, why is the general still frowning every day? The subordinates are willing to share the general's worries."

Li Shimin shook his head and said with a smile: "I am not frowning because of the march. It is a good thing that we can quickly regain peace wherever we go. But I am worried that this is because the morale was strong at the beginning of the army, and this momentum will not last long. .” Du Ruhui said: "The general has far-sightedness and foresight, and the subordinates admire him." Li Shimin went on to say: "Now the team is getting bigger and bigger, but our generals and advisers have not increased. There are still a few big opponents in the future, and we have to deal with them one by one, so I am deeply worried."

Seeing what he said, Du Ruhui said, "I know that the general is very thirsty for talents. In two days, we will march to Xi County. There, I have an old friend. I hope I can introduce you to him." When Li Shimin heard this, he became interested and asked, "What kind of person is he?" Du Ruhui said: "My friend was awarded a Jinshi when he was 18 years old, but he said that now the emperor doesn't want to build meritorious deeds, he only wants to deceive the people. The internal affairs are chaotic and quarreling with each other. Although the country looks peaceful, it perishes. The day is long awaited. Therefore, although he was awarded the title of Yuqiwei, he just asked for orders to go to Xi County to be a Xicheng captain on the grounds that his father was bedridden all the year round, serving decoctions every day, so that half of his life would be safe. Now, The general’s banner of righteousness is unfurled, and he will be willing to come to the army to serve you.”

Li Shimin was very happy after hearing Du Ruhui's introduction, so he asked Du Ruhui to take him with him, and rode his horse to Xi County to meet this strange man. In Xi County, everyone knows this strange magistrate of Fang County. He has no intention of officialdom, but only serves his father who has been ill for a long time.On this day, as usual, he was standing by the stove to make medicine for his father himself, but he heard a familiar voice saying, "Brother Fang, it's been a long time!" Followed by a heroic little general. Fang Xuanling hurriedly invited the two of them to the hall. Du Ruhui said to the young general beside him: "This is the old friend I told you about. His surname is Fang, his name is Qiao, and his name is Xuanling." Then he said to Fang Xuanling: " This is my master, Li Shimin, the second son of Li Yuan who stayed behind in Taiyuan."

When Fang Xuanling heard this, he clasped his fists and saluted, "I have heard for a long time that the second son of the Li family is a rare general. He is young and promising, and is famous in the battlefield. Now that he sees him, he is really extraordinary!" Li Shimin also hurriedly returned the gift, and the two looked at each other , Both gave birth to a sense of hatred for seeing each other late. Li Shimin said: "Nowadays the world is in chaos. Sir, in this small Xi County, don't you feel wronged that you are full of talents? Why don't you join our army from the army and do great things together."

Fang Xuanling said slowly: "I have passed the age of forty years, wasted forty cold and summer, and did nothing. It seems that I will not have any achievements in this life. Why did the general come here to look for me? " Li Shimin said: "The dragon in the pool can fly through the clouds and the fog, and it needs the help of clouds and rain; the buried heroes need to seize the opportunity if they want to establish their achievements. They are all buried. But it is different now. My father and I are determined to overthrow the tyranny and give the people a peaceful world, so we need talents like you. I also believe that you are not willing to spend the rest of your life in this small Xi County. people."

Fang Xuanling still said slowly: "I came to Xi County because I wanted to stay away from the right and wrong of the officialdom and serve my old father wholeheartedly. Now he is still sick in bed, how can you persuade me to devote myself to the officialdom again?" Woolen cloth?" Li Shimin said: "Mr. Fang is wrong. I am not persuading you to go to the officialdom, but to join our army and benefit the people of the world! Sir, you have the infinite talent bestowed by God in your chest, so you have the heart to waste it? " At this time, Du Ruhui, who had been standing by the side without saying a word, said, "Brother Fang, I know that you are not reconciled to the fact that you have been in Xi County for so many years. It is only because the Sui Emperor is a foolish emperor that he cannot let you show your ambitions. Now, the two Corporal Li Xian, the young master, took the initiative to invite you, and wanted to build achievements with you, this is a rare opportunity! You should think carefully about it!"

Fang Xuanling picked up the fan, walked to the medicine pot under the eaves, fanned the fire and said, "I have already passed the age of serving the country with blood, and now you see that my beard is so long, so I just want to serve the old man with peace of mind." Father, I don't ask for anything else." Seeing how stubborn he was, Du Ruhui couldn't help shaking his head.However, Li Shimin kept smiling and said: "Mr. is pure filial piety, serving your father wholeheartedly, which is admirable. In this way, I can't force it. But if you need anything in the future, sir, you must tell me. As long as I, Li Shimin, can If you do, you will do your best.”

Fang Xuanling smiled at Li Shimin and said, "So, thank you General Li!" Li Shimin pulled Du Ruhui to say goodbye, and left Fang's house.Du Ruhui said ashamedly: "This old man is still so stubborn! There is really nothing we can do about him!" Li Shimin said: "It doesn't matter. I can see that Mr. Fang is full of knowledge, but he is a person who puts filial piety first. A person like this will definitely be loyal in the future. It's just that we can't force him now. If there is a chance in the future, He must be invited to join the army.” Watching Li and Du go away, Fang Xuanling couldn't help being filled with emotion, admiring that although Li Shimin was young, he could tell from his manner and speech that he was a man of great talent and strategy, and he would surely achieve great things in the future.Thinking that I was born in troubled times and spent more than forty years in this small place, only to meet such a talent today.While he was in a trance, he suddenly heard his father coughing in the wing room, he hurriedly calmed down, went over and took the medicine bowl into the room.

The next day, as soon as Fang Xuanling opened the gate of the courtyard, he saw a fine horse standing at the gate, and the one leading the horse was Li Shimin who just came yesterday.When he saw Li Shimin standing at his door early in the morning, he thought he was dreaming.Li Shimin smiled at him and said: "After visiting my husband yesterday, I couldn't sleep at night when I went back. Although my husband can't come to our army now, I still have a lot of questions and I want to ask him for advice, so I took the liberty of visiting again today." Fang Xuanling hurriedly invited Li Shimin to come in. After Li Shimin entered the room, he first greeted Fang Xuanling's father and asked about his health, then came to the hall and said to Fang Xuanling: "Now our army is facing many problems. Establish the direction of development, and with strong enemies around, you have to choose who to fight first and who to fight later. I hope you can enlighten me on these questions." As he spoke, seeing Fang Xuanling holding a medicine pot in his hand, he asked, "Who are you?" Do you want to boil medicine? Let me help you!" Without any explanation, he put the medicine pot on the fire, poured the medicinal materials into it quickly, and while fanning the fire with a fan, he stirred the medicinal materials in the medicine pot and said : "When I was at home, my mother was often unwell, and I made the medicine for her." Fang Xuanling watched Li Shimin decoct medicine for her father, and couldn't help being greatly moved.He said: "The general is a rich man, and he has important military affairs. How can he waste his time here helping me decoct medicine?" Li Shimin said with a smile: "I heard that you, Lieutenant Xi Cheng, not only serve the soup and medicine in person every day, but also personally prepare the three meals. When I went back yesterday and reported it to my father, he also praised it very much. Today, let me Let me do this for you, and take it as my reward for my advice!" Just as he was talking, a puff of thick smoke came out from the stove and touched Li Shimin's cheeks, causing him to cough and cry.Fang Xuanling looked at it, felt even more sorry, quickly grabbed the fan and said: "I'll come, I'll come, the general will take a rest." Li Shimin said stubbornly: "No, I must do something for my husband today." For three or four days in a row, Li Shimin came to Fang Xuanling's house every morning, not only bringing high-quality medicinal materials, but also serving Fangfu's medicine by himself, just like treating his own father.It was not until the evening that he hurried back to the army to deal with military affairs.Fang Xuanling saw him running back and forth every day, very tired, felt very ashamed, but also very moved.It seems that I have read the right person, Li Shimin sincerely asked him to work for him. After thinking it over, Fang Xuanling said to Li Shimin: "Fang Xuanling is very aware of the general's painstaking efforts. It's just that my father's condition is not very stable now. When he recovers, I will definitely rush to the barracks to join the general!" Li Shimin took his hand and said sincerely: "I originally wanted to take this opportunity to ask more questions from my husband. But now the army is about to leave, so I don't have time. You can serve him wholeheartedly! As long as you have Time, I will come back to see you!" Li Shimin's personal service every day was not in vain, and Fang Xuanling was moved.When Tang Jun marched to Weibei, Fang Xuanling's father passed away. After taking care of the affairs, he rushed to the barracks overnight to ask Li Shimin to see him. From then on, he followed him and became Li Shimin's most effective staff. Fang Xuanling came to Li Shimin's army and provided him with strong support.Every time a place is pacified, others are vying for jewels, but Fang Xuanling is the first to recruit talents and establish a think tank group for Li Shimin.He participated in the planning and implementation of the Xuanwumen Incident that determined the moment of Li Shimin's life and death, and sent Li Shimin to the throne of God.Later, he accompanied him to formulate laws and regulations, and comprehensively manage government affairs. Li Shimin praised him for "planning strategies and establishing the country".Fang Xuanling is good at scheming, while Du Ruhui is good at making decisions, and together they have become a model of good looks, known by the world as "Fang Conspiracy to Stop Judgment".