Chapter 28 8. Survival in Troubled Times: Yuwen Shi who will never fail and

Among the Yuwen family, Yuwen Shiji is not the best one.His father, Yu Wenshu, as a veteran of the Sui Dynasty, was respected by Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, and luckily passed away when Emperor Sui Yang was not in a coma.In his dying wish, he hoped that his three sons could continue to be favored and reused by those in power.Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty generously fulfilled his wish. The eldest son Yu Wenhua was awarded the title of General Youtunwei, the second son Yu Wenzhi was named the servant of Huangmen, and the third son Yuwen Shihe was named the emperor of the royal family. The daughter, Princess Nanyang, was betrothed to Yuwen Shiji.On the basis of being a high-ranking official and generous salary, he became a relative of the emperor.

Yu Wenhuaji had a deep friendship with Sui Yang Emperor Yang Guang, so he was deeply favored.Unexpectedly, when Emperor Sui Yang visited Jiangdu, he was lobbied by Yu Wenzhi and his army generals, making the courageous Yu Wenzhi the one who killed Sui Yang Emperor.After supporting the new emperor, Yu Wenhuaji said to Yuwen Zhiji: "Although the third brother is our own, his wife is Yang Guang's daughter. With such a relationship, it is difficult to guarantee that he will not be persuaded by his wife to turn to others. So we have to keep these things secret for the time being, and we can’t tell him.”

Just because Yuwen Shiji married Emperor Yangdi's daughter, Yuwen Shiji became an outsider during the whole incident.It wasn't until Yu Wenhuaji supported Yang Hao as the new emperor that he was able to know the whole process of the incident.Although his wife, Princess Nanyang, saw her father being killed and cried all day long, but he had no choice. After Yu Wenhuaji killed the emperor in Jiangdu, Li Yuan, who was far away in Chang'an, held a grand funeral for Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty, and the entire court team wore hemp and mourning for the emperor.Through this move, the survivors of the Sui Dynasty in the Manchu Dynasty began to respect Li Yuan, and after Li Yuan supported the acting king Yang You, the entire Chang'an was under Li Yuan's control.

After killing Sui Yang Emperor, Yu Wenhuaji became the target of public criticism. Although he kept complaining, he had to accept this fact when he had no way out.He led the most elite troops in the Sui Dynasty, but he still suffered repeated defeats. He completely lost confidence in himself, but he was unwilling to end here. He said to everyone: "Life is a death, isn't it a day to be an emperor! "As soon as he was cruel, he killed Yang Hao and proclaimed himself emperor. When Yu Wenhuaji tried his final madness, his younger brother Yuwen Shiji was already looking for a way out for himself.He sent someone to secretly send a letter to Li Yuan in Chang'an to show his favor.On the grounds that he did not participate in the coup at all, he expressed his innocence in the killing of Emperor Sui Yang, hoping to get Li Yuan's sympathy.After Li Mi defeated Yu Wenhuaji, Yu Wenshiji persuaded Yu Wenhuaji to go to Li Yuan with him, but Yu Wenhuaji refused. He said: "When I killed Yang Guang, Li Yuan put him in mourning. The line has been drawn, and now I go to defect, he will definitely not let me go!"

Yuwen Shiji gave up his brother and wife, because one of them was an anti-king who killed the king, and the other was a princess of the old dynasty, which was extremely unfavorable for him to defect to the king of Tang.When he arrived in Chang'an, Pei Ji asked him, "Why did you come?" He said boldly, "To follow the wise king who saves the world!" Hearing this answer, Li Yuan and Pei Ji both laughed.Li Yuan said to him: "Your father used to be the most powerful minister who assisted the previous court, but your elder brother became a criminal who killed the king. Now, if you dare to join me, aren't you afraid that I will kill you? "

Yuwen Shiji said: "My life is nothing in your eyes. If you want to kill me, please do it at any time. It's just because of my brother. I'm just worried that people in the world will think that you are a manslaughter." minister." Hearing what he said, Li Yuan cast a questioning look at Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, Feng Deyi and others beside him.But everyone just shook their heads, expressing that they didn't understand.Li Yuan signaled Yuwen Shiji to continue talking. Yuwen Shiji said: "Our brothers are all deeply favored by the emperor, but each has his own heart. I just focus on the Lord, but I never thought of my brother killing the king. After the incident, I was deeply shocked, but I didn't There is a solution. All I can do is to maintain my innocence. The lotus flower grows out of the mud, and those who appreciate it do not ignore its nobility; Discover its brilliance. And I can't help but be involved in these outrageous things, I can only hope that the world can forgive me, and hope that the enlightened king can take pity on my sincerity."

Li Yuan listened to his explanation, saw that Pei Ji and Feng Deyi nodded to him, and felt that his confession was very reasonable, after a little thought, he ordered someone to help Yuwen Shiji who was kneeling on the ground. Li Yuan accepted Yuwen Shiji generously, not because of his talent, but because of his status.The Yuwen family held military power in the Sui Dynasty. After Yu Wenhuaji and Yuwen Zhiji were killed, a large number of Sui Dynasty troops disbanded or fled. Li Yuan needed someone to gather them together, and those stragglers who formed their own faction also needed A man of absolute prestige went to surrender.

Yuwen Shiji lived up to Li Yuan's expectations. He worked hard to persuade many generals of the Sui Dynasty to surrender for the Tang Dynasty, and actively participated in the Tang Dynasty's war to suppress the rebels in various places.In the battle to pacify Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, he rushed to the forefront, and while being affirmed by Li Yuan, he also won the favor of Li Shimin. The relationship between Li Shimin and Yuwen Shiji is very delicate. When Li Yuan arranged Yuwen Shiji to the Qin Palace, he said on the surface that he asked an elder to give Li Shimin some advice. The original intention might be to let him supervise Li Shimin, but Yuwen Shiji soon Then he discovered that Li Shimin is a talented person, and he is an extraordinary person. His actions not only satisfied Li Yuan, but also satisfied Li Shimin.

In the battle between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng for the prince, Li Jiancheng has a certain advantage, not only has Li Yuan's favor, but also Concubine Zhang Gui and Concubine Yin in the harem speak well of him from time to time.However, Li Shimin only gained support in the court with his military merits.Li Shimin felt that he had too few advantages. After Yuwen Shiji discovered his doubts, he said to him: "What the King of Qin is worried about is that the emperor will listen to too many slanders from treacherous people and not believe him. This is actually a very good thing." solve."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin examined this person carefully.After being by his side for so long, Yuwen Shiji has not been reused, because Li Shimin understands that his mission is to supervise himself.But the struggle between himself and the prince is well known, but he suddenly stood up at this time, can he accept his help? Yuwen Shiji knew that there was still a gap between Li Shimin and himself.However, the transfer of power in the Tang Dynasty must move forward after all. After Li Yuan, the only one who has the opportunity to succeed the throne is Li Shimin except Li Jiancheng, and he is more willing to place this bet on Li Shimin. Only in this way can he get a share of the pie after Li Shimin succeeds to the throne.He said to Li Shimin: "Now the emperor's attitude towards you is uncertain. Someone must be slandering behind your back. In order to be on guard, the king of Qin should have prepared early. I have paved the way for you, but I don't know if you are willing or not." gone."

Li Shimin asked him: "What way? How?" Yuwen Shiji said: "My younger sister is now a Zhaoyi in the harem. She is intelligent and exquisite, and has won the emperor's favor. As long as the King of Qin is willing, I am willing to go to the palace and let her speak for you in front of the emperor and break those treacherous slanders. .” Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction and said, "If you can really do it, I will definitely thank you very much." Yuwen Shiji took the order, went to the palace to discuss secretly with Yuwen Zhaoyi, and asked her to continue to speak well for King Qin in front of Li Yuan.This move achieved immediate results. Li Yuan's attitude towards Li Shimin improved significantly, which made Li Shimin very happy. Since then, he has trusted Yuwen Shiji and made him a member of the Qin King's think tank. After the "Xuanwumen Incident", Pei Ji, Feng Deyi and others all urged Li Yuan to give way to Li Shimin, but Li Yuan saw the tragic deaths of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, felt grief and indignation, and could not make up his mind.With his three-inch tongue, Yuwen Shiji once again successfully persuaded Li Yuan who was still in the final stage of hesitation, and sent Li Shimin to the throne of the emperor. From the perspective of bystanders, Yuwenshi and his people were not outstanding figures at that time.But from the point of view of the ruler, his role is better than many outstanding people, because he can bring what the ruler wants, can serve him, and let them achieve their own goals.Such a person is the "talent" that the rulers have been longing for, and it is also the ultimate essential characteristic of talents in the eyes of the rulers of feudal society.