Although Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui tried their best to persuade them to stay, and Chen Sangliang also expressed his willingness to reuse him, Li Jiancheng's envoy Wang Gui, who cherished his reputation, still did not want to bear the shameless infamy of being an envoy and betrayed the master, and declined Chen Sangliang and Chen Sangliang with tears. Due to the kindness of Fang Du and others, tears filled his eyes and brought Chen Sangliang's appeal for Li Xiwen to the north and returned to Taiyuan to report to Li Jiancheng's brother that Chen Sangliang was about to send troops to Taiyuan.
Chen Sangliang also wrote another letter to Li Jiancheng, telling Li Jiancheng very clearly that the Li family brothers followed Li Yuan to rebel and killed Yang You. The surrender of the Li family brothers cannot accept the surrender of the Li family! At the same time, Chen Sangliang also offered Li Jiancheng the conditions of surrender, put down his weapons, hand over the territory, and bring all his family members to Daxing to meet in court. Chen Sangliang kept the Li family safe and selected talents for employment.
At the same time, Li Gang, a well-known scholar in Guanzhong, drafted a letter to discuss Li, which was also posted in various parts of Guanzhong, hanging in the conspicuous places of large and small cities and passes, and sent to counties and counties outside Chen Sangliang's control area through various open and dark channels for posting. Now that I understand it, I should tell the whole world that the next target of the Guanzhong Sui Army's crusade against the Yining court is the Taiyuan Li family!
Chen Sangliang's credit was already very good, and if he spread the call to action all over the world, of course it would be impossible to change his target, so when he saw the call to action offering a reward of 50,000 yuan to buy the heads of Li Da and Li Er, he bordered on the territory controlled by Chen Sangliang The big and small warlords naturally breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Shichong and Li Mi, who had been mortally wounded by Hua Ji's brother, couldn't even close their mouths. They patted their chests and rejoiced. Fortunately, we went to the north, if we came to the east, we would be hanged."
What made Li Mi and Wang Shichong even more joyful is still to come. Chen Sangliang, whose overall strength has already dominated the world, did not have to be afraid of multi-front wars at all, and sent envoys to make peace with Wang Shichong and Wang Shichong respectively. Li Mi concluded a non-aggression peace treaty. Although this did not rule out the possibility that Chen Sangliang was hiding his sword behind his smile, Wang Shichong and Li Mi agreed to sign a peace treaty with Chen Sangliang without hesitation, demarcated the boundaries in detail, and promised each other that they would never make unannounced secrets. The injustice of war, and will never support the enemy of the other side with force and material support.
In order to please his son-in-law, Wang Shichong obediently handed over Wang Xueji's mother and son, but unfortunately, Wang Shichong previously tried to curry favor with Li Mijun in order to prevent his son-in-law from invading eastward, so he returned Pei Cuiyun and her mother to Li Mijun through negotiations two days ago Pei Renji was re-commanded, so Wang Shichong could only send someone to explain to his son-in-law that this was just a coincidence, and it was by no means intentional not to give his son-in-law the opportunity to add another mistress. Chen Sangliang also found out through various channels that this was indeed just an accidental coincidence, so he didn't care about it. He could only gloomily refuse to help Wang Shichong kill Li Mi secretly, but also promised never to help Li Mi attack Dongdu.
The same is true for Li Mijun. Chen Sangliang asked Zhang Yongtong to tell Li Mi very clearly that if Li Mi and Wang Shichong went to war, he would not help anyone, and he would never sideline the fight because Wang Shichong was his father-in-law. Li Mi knew very well that Chen Sangliang was urging him to fight Wang Shichong in a disguised form, but this was exactly what Li Mi could not wish for, so Li Mi immediately set out to prepare for a war against Wang Shichong, and he would attack immediately when Chen Sangliang's main force sent troops to Taiyuan. Get rid of Wang Shichong, an enemy who has been entangled for many years.
Contrary to Chen Sangliang's other neighbors who were relieved, the remote Li family was struck by lightning. A large group of members of the old Li family couldn't figure it out even if they broke their heads. Chen Sangliang who lived in the Forbidden City Why would Wang Shichong, who lives in Wangfujing, and Li Mi, who lives in Liulichang, not be beaten, Li Gui and Master Liang who are entrenched in Shichahai, and even the dying Hua who is temporarily hiding in Xiannongtan? Brother and I don't care about it, but we want to leave the city and go east and north, take the subway and transfer to the bus to get out of the Fifth Ring Road, and come to trouble ourselves? Isn't this cheating
Li Jiancheng was the one who suffered the most from Chen Sangliang's proclamation. In order to prevent Chen Sangliang from becoming wary of the Taiyuan army, Li Jiancheng had repeatedly rejected the Li clan's request to form an alliance with Wang Shichong and Li Mi, and he also openly refused The title and official position bestowed on him by the Eastern Capital court made Li Er only seek to join forces with others based on his reputation as the right army of the Li family. This time, Ren Yu brought Li Mi's envoy to the north to ask for an alliance, and none of the Li family applauded or praised him. Li Jiancheng resolutely rejected Li Mi's initiative to ask for an alliance, and even sent Wang Gui to carry Li Mi's autographed letter. Going south to show weakness and favor to Chen Sangliang, pretending to ask for surrender, but in the end not only failed, but also attracted Chen Sangliang's demands for Li Xiwen. Li Jiancheng was as embarrassed as he was in front of his tribe.
The truth is always in the hands of a few people. Although even Chen Sangliang secretly admired Li Jiancheng's concealment and keeping a low profile, after seeing Chen Sangliang blatantly declared war on Li Jianwen, Li Jiancheng's diplomatic strategy was unanimously met by the civil and military forces in Taiyuan. Li Yuanji, who was dissatisfied with his elder brother taking the military power from him, even jumped up and down, pulling a group of his peers to talk strangely and complain, accusing Li Jiancheng of lack of talent and ability, and not worthy of being the head of the Li family. Abdicate to the virtuous. Although Li Er, who had suffered a lot under the command of his elder brother, knew that Li Jiancheng's strategy was actually very correct, he didn't stand up and say a word of justice, but just hid aside and watched the joke, gloating at his misfortune.
Silently enduring the complaints and strange words and unreasonable accusations from a group of relatives headed by Li Yuanji, Li Jiancheng first gave instructions to the confidant guards beside him, then stood up, apologized to the group of people, frankly admitted that it was his own decision-making mistakes As a result of these consequences, I was very wronged and took the blame. In the end, Li Jiancheng said: "Everyone, it was indeed my mistake to pretend to please Chen Yingliang but failed, and instead provoked him to declare war openly. But I refused to form an alliance with Li Mi , I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, Li Mi is thousands of miles away from us, mountains and rivers block powerful enemies from blocking the way, and forming an alliance with them will not help, on the contrary, it may lead to fire, I hope you must understand this.”
"We understand." Li Yuanji said with a sneer: "We also understand that after we refused to form an alliance with Duke Wei, now it is hopeless to expect Duke Wei to restrain Chen Yingliang for us. If you want to ask him again, I really can't Know how much it will cost."
"I won't beg Li Mi, and it's useless to beg him." Li Jiancheng ignored the cynicism of his fourth brother and pointed out: "It is impossible for Li Mi to help us contain Chen Yingliang, not to mention that he is now seriously injured and powerless, even if he really There is Wang Shichong between him and Chen Yingliang, and Wang Shichong is his sworn enemy, so it is impossible for him not to consider Wang Shichong's threat."
"Patriarch, so you plan to continue to be a loner and let our army deal with Chen Yingliang's main force alone?" Li Baiju, whose hand was cut off by Chen Sangliang's lackey, asked with a sneer.
"Of course not." Li Jiancheng showed some smiles, and said with a smile: "I don't want to form an alliance with Li Mi. In addition to being harmful and not beneficial, there is another more important reason, that is, I have already found a stronger ally. He is also a far more upright and reliable ally than Li Mi's traitor!"
When everyone was surprised, the confidant guard who had left before returned to the hall, and presented a document in front of Li Jiancheng with both hands. Li Jiancheng took it and showed it in public, and said with a smile: "Everyone, do you see it? This is the secret agreement between me and Changle King Dou Jiande." The reason for our alliance is to attack Chen Yingliang, Changle King promised that once Taiyuan is attacked by Chen Yingliang, as long as our army asks him for help, he will immediately send troops to the west and join hands with our army to fight against Chen Yingliang!"
The important officials of the Taiyuan army, including Pei Ji and Li Shentong, were all taken aback. They hurried forward to make an alliance letter. They were very pleasantly surprised to find that not only did the alliance letter say that Dou Jiande would send troops to help the Taiyuan Li family resist Chen Yingliang's invasion, but also Li Jiancheng He and Dou Jiande's autographs and their respective seals. At the same time, Pei Ji and others were even more shocked to find that the signing date of this alliance was five months ago, and it has been signed for almost half a year. Overjoyed, Li Shentong couldn't help but blurted out and asked: "Captain Zuo, you already formed an alliance with Dou Jiande five months ago, why didn't you tell us?"
"Of course it's for the sake of keeping secrets and preventing any leaks." Li Jiancheng replied calmly: "Although the King of Changle is powerful, he is upright and trustworthy, and he makes great promises, but if there is a big war, it will be a melee battle among the three armies on our land. Even if we and the King of Changle defeat Chen Yingliang However, we are still the ones who suffer the most, so I have been hiding this news, not for any other reason, but to avoid completely angering Chen Yingliang and attracting his main force to attack."
After looking around at the people present, Li Jiancheng said again: "Actually, my real purpose of sending Wang Shujie to the south to seek peace is not to avoid Chen Yingliang's main force to attack, but to lure him to send troops eastward, so that his main force will be trapped. In the quagmire of melee in the battlefield of Dongdu, King Changle and I will take advantage of the momentum and join hands to attack Chen Yingliang southward, making him exhausted from head to toe, and our army will also take the opportunity to find a precious opportunity to seize Hedong."
"But it's a pity that Chen Yingliang wasn't fooled." Li Jiancheng added with a wry smile, "If nothing else happens, he should have seen through the real purpose of our army and the danger of sending troops to the Eastern Capital, so he put it aside. Wang Shichong and Li Mi, who were seriously injured, did not fight, but came to trouble us."
"What Zuo Dudu said is very true. It is really not that easy to deceive that traitor Chen Yingliang." Li Shentong nodded, and then said with a smile on his face: "Since we have already secretly concluded an alliance with King Changle, then this time We can rest assured that the king of Changle values morality and credibility the most, and he keeps his word. He will definitely send troops when he says he will send troops, and once he sends troops, he will either enter Shekou from Wu'an and threaten the flank of Chen Yingliang's road, or Jingxing Pass. (Niangziguan) going west directly to the city of Taiyuan can provide us with direct assistance, which is hundreds of times better than asking that capricious and despicable villain Li Mi to feign an attack!"
Such a powerful helper suddenly fell from the sky, and he is also an upright gentleman who is famous for his trustworthiness and loyalty. Naturally, most of the Taiyuan Army's civil and military personnel are full of joy. Li Yuanji, Li Baiju and others also closed their mouths sullenly. Li Er quietly He looked at his elder brother carefully, and said in his heart: "I underestimated him, but in terms of tolerance, he is far above me."
"My lords, you don't need to worry. Although Chen Yingliang's decision to send troops to Taiyuan was unexpected, it was only a matter of time and unavoidable." Li Jiancheng took the opportunity and said, "Don't worry, I will not only ask King Changle to prepare for assistance, The envoy contacted Luo Yi and Liang Shidu, and asked for an alliance with them to fight against Chen Yingliang's army. In addition, I will try my best to bring Liu Wuzhou over. Although our army and him are enemies, they are also dependent on each other. , Chen Yingliang's army goes north, he will not fail to consider the threat he will face, it is not impossible for him to stop fighting with us, even send troops to help us defend against powerful enemies."
Pei Ji, Li Shentong and others nodded their heads together, and then Pei Ji suggested: "Commander Zuo, hurry up and prepare for the battle. Chen Yingliang is arrogant and arrogant, and he has declared war before he started preparing for the battle. It has shown that he underestimated the enemy and lost. It is not hopeless to keep the enemy out of the country, I suggest mobilizing the troops to go south as soon as possible, build fortifications and forts in the dangerous places of Queshu Valley, and station troops to force Chen Yingliang's traitors into a tough battle."
"That's exactly what I mean." Li Jiancheng nodded and said, "As long as we keep the Queshu Valley, not only can the people in Xihe, Taiyuan and other counties be prevented from suffering from the flames of war, but also a lot of roads can be saved when King Changle sends troops to help us." Consumption can also directly threaten Chen Sangliang's flanks and even the rear food road, which is beneficial to the battle."
After finishing speaking, Li Jiancheng immediately issued an order to Li Er: "Second brother, you should immediately start preparing for the expedition. Two days later, you will lead your troops to go south to Jiexiu and Lingshi to assist Duan Lun in building fortifications and prepare for the battle. The next step is to closely investigate If there is any movement of the enemy army, please report to me immediately.”
Li Er clapped his hands in agreement with a smile, and then asked with a smile: "Brother, when I arrive at Jiexiu Lingshi, will I command Duan Lun, or will Duan Lun be in charge of the younger brother, and let the younger brother accept his command?"
"Of course you accepted his orders." Li Jiancheng said bluntly: "Although your official position is higher than that of Duan Lun, Duan Lun is the chief commander of the South Route Army, the commander in chief of the South Route. At his command."
Li Er's eyes moved slightly, but he still accepted Li Jiancheng's order with a smile and retreated to the side, while Li Yuanji took advantage of Li Jiancheng's opportunity to discuss military affairs with everyone, quietly approached Li Er, and said in a low voice: " Second brother, you are the commander-in-chief of the right, and your position in our army is only lower than that of elder brother, but you have to accept Duan Lun's command and dispatch, so upside down, why don't you fight?"
"There are only more than 5,000 people left in my direct lineage. What are we fighting for?" Li Er replied depressed in his heart, but Junxiu still had a gentle smile on his face, and replied aloud: "The enemy is at hand, and our top priority right now is how to resist it?" The army of Chen bandits invaded, General Duan Lun defended well on the southern front, and he did not make any mistakes in confronting Chen's army for five months, and I am willing to accept his orders."
Smiling mockingly, Li Yuanji said in a low voice again: "Second brother, if Duan Lun puts you at the forefront and asks you to fight head-on with Chen's army with the last direct descendants, are you still willing to accept his orders?" No?"
Li Er closed his lips and said in his heart: "I can't ask for anything. What I like is to take the initiative to attack and defeat the enemy when I have a chance, and passively defend and get beaten. That's not my style!"
At the same time, the Sui Army's division Liu Heita, which was closest to the Li brothers, also began to mobilize and prepare for the war. A large amount of food, grass and military supplies began to be transported to Linfen, and the Sui troops stationed in various places in Hedong also went north to gather. The Huoyi area at the forefront is even more turbulent. The army patrols frequently, and they continue to send scouts to go deep into the Queshu Valley to investigate the deployment of the Taiyuan army and explore the small roads and streams. When the Duan Lun Department of the Taiyuan Army stationed in Queshu Valley seized the opportunity to capture two Sui army scouts, they also asked a shocking news from them—there was a rumor in the Sui army camp that Chen Sangliang had issued an order to Liu Heitai to let Liu Heitai Before the main force of the Sui army goes north, wait for the opportunity to seize the Lingshi Jiexiu and open the way for the main force of the Sui army to go north!
After discovering the news, Duan Lun, the head coach of the Taiyuan Army's southern front, was surprised and did not dare to neglect. While strengthening the defenses of Lingshi and Jiexiu, he sent someone to report the news to Li Jiancheng. However, Li Er, who had just led his army to Jiexiu, was somewhat skeptical, and said to Duan Lun: "Chen Yingliang asked Liu Heita to seize Jiexiu's spirit stone first? Is this possible? Not to mention whether Liu Heita can do this, Right now, Chen Yingliang's main force hasn't even been mobilized yet, and food, grass and military supplies are still in transit. Even if Liu Heitai wins Jiexiu and Lingshi, Chen Yingliang won't be afraid of being taken back by our full counterattack? Such a risky tactic doesn't seem like Chen Yingliang's military style?"
"Soldiers have no shape, and water has no momentum." Duan Lun, who is actually the second brother-in-law of Li, said, "Erlang, don't forget that when you were in Hedong before, Chen Yingliang came to highlight the surprise soldiers with one hand, uncharacteristically drove straight forward, and beat you to death. There is not even time to react, if he repeats his old trick this time, if we don't prepare early, and Liu Heita suddenly kills him again, how can we resist?"
"It's possible, but..." Li Er vaguely doubted Chen Sangliang's real intentions, and secretly said: "The morale of the first wave is high, the second is low, and the third is exhausted. If we continue like this without waiting for Chen Yingliang's main force to arrive, we are only afraid that we will wear ourselves down."
After this worry was born, Li Er, who is also a master of psychological warfare, thought about it for a while, and then volunteered to Duan Lun: "Brother-in-law, let the younger brother lead the headquarters to station in Lingshi, and you lead the main force to station in Jiexiu, so it will be considered as my place." If something goes wrong, you can also get an early warning and be prepared in advance.”
Li Er took the initiative to ask to be at the forefront of the battlefield. Of course, Duan Lun couldn't ask for it. At the same time, Li Er's ability to fight well and his agility also made Duan Lun very relieved. However, Duan Lun was also worried about a weakness in Li Er's character, so he accepted Li Er. After the request, Duan Lun warned again: "Erlang, you must not take risks to fight. The enemy is strong and we are weak, and the terrain of Queshu Valley is difficult to send out surprise troops to win. You must put the defense of the city first. Without my permission, you are not allowed to fight without permission." Go to war."
At the same time as Li Er nodded in agreement, a batch of mysterious military supplies finally arrived at Linfen City, where Liu Heitai's main force was stationed, under the condition of extreme secrecy. Sui Army General Liu Heita, who was troubled by the complicated task, laughed loudly and said: "Okay! With these things, there is no way to worry about Duan Lunpifu and Li Shimin's children being shocked three times a day, and they dare not even sleep completely." Close your eyes."