Chapter 20 The nineteenth chapter of the strategy of defeating Chu

Chapter 19 The Strategy of Conquering Chu Li Zhi entered the palace with his servants, he wrote a letter a few days ago asking to attack Chu, but there was no response, today the emperor finally summoned him to the palace, he was overjoyed.The discussion was held in the Imperial Study Room. Yongdi Li Yuan was sitting behind the Longshu Table, squinting his eyes slightly, with a worried look on his face, and beside him sat a beautiful young woman in palace attire, on the chair on the left side of the Book Table. Prince Li An, Prime Minister Wei Guan, and Wei Guogong Cheng Shu sat in turn. Apart from the first seat on the right, Qin Yi, the general of Fuyuan, and Li Xian, the king of Qi, sat. Li Xian was still pale and sick, but The spirit is not bad.

Prince Li An, thirty-six years old this year, two years older than King Yong Li Zhi, but he has never practiced martial arts, and he is not as handsome as Li Zhi. With a trace of fatigue, he looked at Li Zhi's captivating heroic figure who came in from the outside, and a trace of jealousy flashed in his eyes.Li Zhi walked up to the Longshu case, prostrated himself in the tunnel, and said, "My son kowtowed to my father." Li Yuan said, "Zhi son, why did you come so late?" Take it here, so that the emperor can have a look." Li Yuan looked at Li An strangely and said, "An'er, haven't you already delivered the Jiangnan spy information?"

Li An said with a smile: "It must be that the second brother doesn't know yet, but the spy information from Jiangnan has already reached me first." A cold smile flashed in Li Zhi's eyes, and he said, "The Jiangnan spy information from His Royal Highness is from Liang Wan, and the espionage channels here are different, so there must be some things that the emperor doesn't know about." Li An's expression froze, he did everything possible to control the Jiangnan spy network, but he didn't expect that Li Zhi still had other information, so why not make him jealous, and said coldly: "So, a few days ago, the sixth brother attacked Xiangyang, if the second brother Bring out those information too, surely the sixth brother won't suffer such a miserable defeat." He only cared about his own pleasure and hitting Li Zhi, but forgot Li Xian's mood, and a glint of evil flashed in Li Xian's eyes.

Li Zhi calmly said: "My brother only found out that our spy network in Jiangnan was not complete when the sixth younger brother failed to attack Xiangyang for the first time. The map of Xiangyang's military deployment we got was very rough. It must be that the defender of Xiangyang is in It was tampered with when it was submitted to the Ministry of War. It can be seen that the spy network in charge of Miss Liang has been noticed by people of insight in Southern Chu. When Chu goes to war, our spy network will inevitably be destroyed. Because of this situation, I have to re-wire the wires. At last, it is quite successful. His Royal Highness does not know the details. , so I didn't support the sixth brother in time." At this point, Li Zhi took a look at Li Xian and bowed slightly to express his apology.Li Xian shook his head slightly to express that he didn't mind.

As soon as Li Zhi came in, he fought with Prince Li An, seeing them stop temporarily, except Emperor Yong, the young woman and Li An, everyone stood up to salute Li Zhi, King Qi Li Xian was about to stand up, but saw Li With anger in An's eyes, he sat back again.Li Zhi sat in his seat and agreed with everyone.The beautiful woman in palace attire had eyes like ice from when Li Zhi accused Liang Wan. After Li Zhi sat down, she said, "Hear Your Highness, my nephew Wan has worked so hard in the south of the Yangtze River, but he has fallen behind, isn't he?" See When she spoke, Li An lowered his head slightly, with a smile on his lips.

Li Zhi leaned forward and said: "Imperial concubine, I dare not underestimate Miss Liang's achievements. When Changle married far away, my father and us all pity Changle, and her temperament is gentle and gentle, so the imperial concubine sent Miss Liang to go to Southern Chu with Changle. , Li Zhi is also very grateful. Over the years, we have been so smooth in Southern Chu, Miss Liang has contributed a lot, but now that the situation has changed, Miss Liang is almost in the clear, so I have to set up another spy network to prevent Miss Liang. After being forced to retreat, we lost control of Jiangnan."

A faint smile appeared on the young woman's delicate dimples, as if she had accepted Li Zhi's explanation. That smile, like plum blossoms after a snowfall, made all the men in the study tremble, but since she was a noble concubine, she soon disappeared. Look away. Seeing that the atmosphere had improved, Li Zhi said, "Since my father has received the information from His Highness the Crown Prince, I must have seen the "Remonstrance Letter to the Emperor of Jin"?" Li Yuan picked up a copy from the desk, and said : "Yes, this Jiang Zhe is really talented. Both the crown prince and the king of Qi have recommended him to me. I have seen his poems, especially the song "Broken", a small song that forced the king of Shu to death. He is really talented. Peerless, after seeing this report today, I believe that this person is not only a talented person, but also a capable minister. If Nanchu reuses this person, it will be a disaster for Dayong. Now that this person has been dismissed from office, he must be able to be recruited. ."

Li Zhi smiled and said: "Father is right. This person is indeed extraordinary. My son is in Shuzhong, and my six younger brothers have seen him in Southern Chu. It is a pity that this person does not care about fame and fortune, and he is a loyal minister of Southern Chu. I am afraid that he will not submit to him." Bar?" Li Yuan nodded and said: "Yes, this king is also worried about this. Seeing this person's seal, he should be a loyal minister of Southern Chu. It's just that as the saying goes, a virtuous minister chooses the master and serves him. I see that this person's poetry is free and easy, so it shouldn't be Obstinate, huh?"

Hearing what he said, Li Zhi knew that Li Xian hadn't told Li An about his encounter with Jiang Zhe in Xiangyang, so Li Yuan wouldn't think that Jiang Zhe might not surrender, so he glanced at Li Xian. Li Zhi showed some uneasiness, and continued with a slight smile, "Yes, because I got Jiang Zhe's seal this time, I checked carefully and found that this person is closely related to Prince De Zhao Jue. In Shuzhong, he It is Zhao Jue's counselor. It is said that he has been recuperating at home for more than two years, but he has kept writing letters to Xiangyang. This time, Liang Wan sent someone to assassinate him on the way. Zhao Jue's last meeting, I found out that the new governor of Southern Chu, Lu Xin, and Jiang Zhe also knew each other. Jiang Zhe was the teacher of Lu Xin's son, Lu Can, before Jiang Zhe passed the rank, so I thought that this person would not easily surrender ."

Li Yuan listened with great interest, while Li An and Concubine Ji secretly exchanged glances, it seemed that they didn't pay much attention to Jiang Zhe.Li Yuan looked at Wei Guan and asked, "Wei Xiang, what do you think?" Wei Guan replied: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Now that Southern Chu is exhausted, it will only take a few years to pacify the South. When the world is at peace, the wise men will come and return. Jiang Zhe is not a stubborn person in his poems. How can he not?" Feng Zhengshuo." After hearing his answer, Li Yuan couldn't help but smile and said: "Wei Xiang is right, although this person is worthy of important use, you don't need to worry too much. After the Southern Chu is settled down, I will order him to enter the court as an official."

Li Zhi looked at the crowd and found that both Li An and Concubine Ji had a faint look in their eyes, but only Li Xian was full of sarcasm, knowing that his goal had been achieved, he praised Jiang Zhe in front of everyone just to hide his feelings for him Pay attention, if you want to secretly arrange to recruit Jiang Zhe, it is difficult to avoid the attention of Li An and others. It is better to show the horses and horses to show that you attach importance to him, then other people's eyes will be focused on Jiang Zhe's surface Talent, on the contrary, will not really understand the importance of Jiang Zhe, nor will he fight against himself for an "ordinary" celebrity. Only Li Xian can see through his own schemes. He also understands Jiang Zhe's talent, but he must also hope that Take Jiang Zhe under his account. For this reason, he will never expose what he has done. Next, he only needs to fight secretly with Li Xian. Having achieved his goal, Li Zhi said cheerfully: "Father ordered his sons and ministers to discuss the matter of conquering Chu. I don't know what the father's plans are?" Li Yuandao: "This time Dayong lost his army in Xiangyang and lost his general. I am worried that Southern Chu will not be controlled from now on. I am going to send you to lead the army to attack Chu. Now that the king of Southern Chu is proclaiming emperor, it just gives us the best excuse. Last time we used the excuse of virtue." The prince has bad intentions to prepare against me, Dayong, the excuse is too far-fetched, now we attack Chu as a matter of course, what does Zhi'er think?" Li Zhi said: "Father is right, the military in Southern Chu is very chaotic now, according to my son's original plan, the army should encircle and cut off the connection between Jingxiang and Jiangnan. It will take a few years and slowly Consuming Southern Chu's army and people's hearts, but now it seems that if they are given time and their army stabilizes again, it will be impossible to capture Southern Chu in less than ten years. If the father allows it, I want to take a risk Give Nan Chu a heavy blow, make them lose their determination to fight against me, Dayong, and then calm down the resistance forces one by one. Although this may take a long time, within three years, I can guarantee that Nan Chu will be taken over. Return to the territory of Dayong, and then spend another 20 years to slowly regain the hearts of the people, what does the emperor think." Li Yuan understood what Li Zhi meant. According to his thinking, the most perfect thing would be to wipe out Southern Chu in one fell swoop, but now it seems that Southern Chu can still be conquered. Thinking that Southern Chu can be conquered within three years, although the cost It was decades of turmoil, but it shouldn't affect the situation in the Central Plains, and he would no longer have to worry about it. His desire to make achievements surpassed everything else. He agreed with Li Zhi's opinion. Concubine Ji's eyes flashed a glint of evil. She knew that if this happened, there would be years of chaos in the south of the Yangtze River and the people would suffer, but she didn't stop it because she knew that Li Yuan had already made a decision. Yes, although King Yong is talented and general, in comparison, the mediocre Li An is more suitable to be the Lord of Dayong. Seeing that Li Yuan had agreed, Li Zhi put forward a detailed plan. According to intelligence, Southern Chu's military forces are now scattered. Because of the battle against Dayong, Southern Chu strengthened its defenses in the middle of Shu to prevent Dayong from breaking through the middle of Shu and going down the river. , and Xiangyang was attacked twice, and the soldiers suffered heavy losses. In order to replenish the soldiers, the Southern Chu military department was almost stretched, and there was a long Yangtze River defense line.Li Zhi suggested that first attack and siege from central Shu and Xiangyang, let Southern Chu concentrate on the two wars, and then he brought a fine cavalry to break through the Yangtze River and push Jianye. If it doesn't come down, a few months is enough for the southern Chu army to cut Li Zhi's back and work hard for Wang Jianye, but now Jianye is empty, and with Dayong's internal support in Jianye, Li Zhi is confident that he will be able to do so within a few days. Conquering Jianye, and then looting the royal family of Southern Chu and hundreds of officials to Dayong, the Southern Chu will have no leader at that time, not to mention that even the capital city will be captured, and the king will be captured. After becoming the ruler of the country, it will be difficult to fight against Dayong, and then Dayong can wipe out Jiangnan in the name of Zhao Jia.Although this plan would take more time to completely rule Jiangnan in reality, and there would be more troubles in the future, but Li Yuan hoped that Nanchu would become a vassal earlier, so he agreed to this plan. Although Li An is not very proficient in military affairs, he is also aware of such troubles, but thinking that if Li Zhi is really allowed to completely capture Southern Chu, then he might not be able to keep his position. Thinking that in this way, there is still a possibility to hide the face in the future, so neither of them objected. Although Wei Guogong Cheng Shu and Fuyuan General Qin Yi both disagreed, but they also understood the mystery of it, and they knew that it was useless to object. In this way, such a plan to attack Chu that was criticized by later generations that did not conform to the art of war was passed.Except for Li Zhi and Shi Yu, no one knew that Li Zhi's greatest purpose was to get Jiang Zhe alone. After everyone discussed it, Li Yuan sighed and said: "Zhier, this time you attack Jianye, you must ensure Changle's safety, and you must bring her back safely. She has sacrificed too much for Dayong. I am sorry for her." ." Li Zhi sighed slightly, Princess Changle is the emperor's beloved daughter, her mother's eldest grandson noble concubine is famous for her virtues, Changle herself is dignified and gentle, so Changle is most favored by her father, the second son of the emperor, Li Xian, who was born to the eldest grandson noble concubine, was killed by an assassin in order to protect Li Yuan Li Jin, the fourth son of the emperor, died at a young age, so in order to comfort the eldest grandson, the emperor promised Princess Changle that she could choose her own son-in-law after she got married, and Princess Changle already had someone she liked, so the emperor also agreed to marry her. But because he wanted to marry Nanchu, his father ordered Changle to marry the prince of Nanchu, Zhao Jia. At that time, the eldest grandson Guifei cried in front of his father that Dayong and Nanchu would turn against each other sooner or later. If Changle married, how would he deal with himself in the future.But the emperor still made up his mind. Li Zhi still can't forget Princess Changle's desperate eyes when he parted. When he knew that Princess Changle was living in seclusion, he still regretted it very much, especially when she knew that Princess Changle was pregnant and resolutely killed the child after several considerations. Li Zhi could almost see Changle's grief and despair. How cruel everything will be faced in the future after birth, so I made this determination. Thinking of this, Li Zhi said categorically: "Father, don't worry, this time my son will definitely take back the imperial sister. The emperor sacrificed a lot for me, Dayong, and my son will definitely ensure her safety, and bring the emperor back to the father." Let's have fun together." Li Yuan sighed and said: "After receiving her back, after a while, I will choose another husband for Changle, so that she will not be so young and look like a widow." Everyone hesitated for a while, Wei Guan said: "Your Majesty can do whatever you want, but if Zhao Jia is captured here, he still needs to rely on his name for a short time. The princess is the Queen of Southern Chu. If your Majesty openly chooses a son-in-law for the princess, the people of Southern Chu will inevitably choose a son-in-law. I gnash my teeth and hate Dayong." Li Yuan said angrily: "Could it be impossible to let my daughter suffer forever?" Wei Guan was at a loss for words, in his opinion, whether Princess Changle was happy or not was not important, but he dared not say this. Li An smoothed things over and said: "Father, what Wei Xiang said is also reasonable, how about this, let's choose a husband and son-in-law for the imperial sister first, and let them make a marriage contract secretly. After it has no effect, I will marry the imperial sister in a legitimate way." Li Yuan nodded slightly and said: "That's it, don't spread this matter, wait until Chang Le comes back and talk about it. Well, I'm a little tired, you go." Li An, Li Zhi, Li Xian, Wei Guan, Cheng Shu, and Qin Yi all got up to say goodbye, while Concubine Ji helped Li Yuan out of the imperial study.Everyone also left separately, Li Xian did not go with Li An, but deliberately stayed behind, and said to Li Zhi: "Second brother, do you think Jiang Zhe will definitely submit to you?" Li Zhi said indifferently: "Why, the sixth brother also wants to keep him under his command." Li Xian rubbed his fists and said: "Second brother, that Jiang Zhe, I felt like a match the moment I saw it. You have so many servants and generals under your command, so just give me this Jiang Zhe." Li Zhi smiled slightly and said, "Do you think that if he doesn't vote for me, he will definitely vote for you?" Li Xian said: "I think this kid is very knowledgeable sometimes, if he is willing to vote for me, I will worship him as a teacher and obey him, he will definitely agree, as long as the second brother doesn't compete with me." Li Zhi smiled wryly, he didn't expect Li Xian to be so obedient, he didn't want to argue with Li Xian, so he said: "I don't know if he will submit to Dayong now, we fought too early, by the way, you and When will Miss Qin get married?" Li Xian smiled and said: "I'm not in a hurry, anyway, the title has already been decided, Qin Zheng's master and father hoped that I would hurry up, so I am planning to get married next month." Li Zhi smiled and said, "Then I won't be able to come back in time, you, I've been delayed for several years, thanks to Miss Qin waiting for you." Li Xian scoffed: "If Concubine Ji hadn't urged Father to make an order, I would have waited a little longer. There are so many beauties out there, how could I be so busy? The Liu Piaoxiang I met in Nanchu last time is really a natural beauty." Stunning woman, if it wasn't for Qin Zheng, I would have gotten it. Second brother, you might as well go and see her when you arrive in Nanchu this time. She is truly a peerless beauty. A hypocritical woman like Liang Wan can't compare to her. , woman, why are you so concerned about the country and the people?" Li Zhi smiled and said, "Okay, I'll tell my siblings to let her know that you look down on her." Li Xian hurriedly begged for mercy. Although Li Zhi had a smile on his face, his heart was cold. Li An now has the support of Fengyimen and Li Xian's help. Considering the increasingly dangerous situation around him, Li Zhi decided once again that he must get Jiang Zhe. He needed someone who could help him break through many obstacles. In September of the first year of Hua Dynasty, King Yong and Li Zhi offered a strategy to pacify Chu, leading an army of 400,000 to the south, and Jingxiang was shaken. - "The History of Chu in the Southern Dynasties.Biography of King Chu Yang