Chapter 381: Wait and see
Also leaving the palace with the King of Qin were General Dou Cong of the Right Guard and General Liu Zongxun of the Right Imperial Guard.

Both of them had a very close relationship with Qin Wang Li Erfeng. In the early years, they "rode together when going out and got up together when sleeping." Even after becoming high-ranking military generals, they never thought about avoiding suspicion.

There was once an Imperial Censor who reported this matter, saying that the King of Qin had too close contacts with the generals in the army, but he was directly demoted by Li Yuan. He was later promoted several levels and has now become a prefect.

Li Yuan's attitude was also very clear. Demoting the censor showed that he valued the King of Qin and the generals and gave them face.

But soon after, he promoted the demoted censor several levels, which was also to express that although I loved the King of Qin and let you suffer, I have not forgotten the matter. I know your loyalty, and promoting you is to reward your attitude. Of course, this was also done for others to see.

After receiving his appointment, the former Imperial Censor who was appointed as the prefect burst into tears of gratitude to Li Yuan.

However, after that, Liu Zongxun, Dou Cong and others did not visit the Qin Palace as frequently as before, but they still talked and laughed when they met in court or at banquets.

Today, the two of them talked with Li Er all the way to the palace gate after the court session. After they parted, Dou Cong invited Liu Zongxun to eat shabu-shabu.

Liu Zongxun naturally agreed readily. Having fought side by side for a long time, he naturally knew that Dou Cong had something to say.

Dou Cong took him to a famous hot pot restaurant in the West Market and asked for a private room. On such a winter day, eating steaming hot pot was so comfortable.

"There's something wrong with the wind today." Dou Cong took a sip of wine, then looked at Liu Zongxun opposite him and said.

Liu Zongxun paused for a moment while cutting the meat, then said, "Did you see anything? Just tell us, are we going to hide it?"

The two had known each other for a long time. When Liu Zongxun was young, he killed a cow to avoid going to Liaodong. Later, Li Yuan rescued him and brought him into the palace, where he lived with Li Er and others. Dou Cong was Li Er's cousin, and they had known each other since childhood.

Later, he followed Li Er to Longyou and participated in all the major battles starting with the night attack on Fuhan, so the relationship between the two was quite close. After all, they were comrades who had fought together on the battlefield and were as close as brothers.

Dou Cong said, "Even warriors like you and me know that Xiangyang is not easy to attack. If we use troops, we may not be able to achieve success in a year or two. But today, Yuwen Chengye is determined to attack Xiangyang. If the battle starts, Yuzhou and Yanzhou in the Central Plains will have to face the attack of Northern Yan. They will be the first to bear the brunt. Liu Xuanji will definitely not miss such an opportunity. When Northern Yan attacks with all its strength, I don't know if the King of Qi can withstand it."

Liu Zongxun thought for a moment, then whispered, "You mean, Your Majesty wants to use Beiyan to weaken the Jianghuai Army under the King of Qi?"

Dou Cong blinked: "Otherwise, why did you ask the King of Qi in the palace today? Although Jingxing and Fukouxing are both in the hands of Northern Yan, the mountain roads are difficult to travel. But it is different in the Central Plains. After crossing the Yellow River, it is a smooth road. The advantage of Northern Yan's cavalry is not inferior to that of the Tang Dynasty. I am afraid that the King of Qi can't resist it."

Liu Zongxun smiled and said, "You are worrying too much. The King of Qi is cautious in using troops and is good at confrontation. In my opinion, even if the Tang Dynasty launches a high-profile attack on Wei, Liu Xuanji may not choose to break through the Central Plains. If you were him, would you rather confront the King of Qi or the King of Wei?"

Dou Cong laughed after hearing this, and then said: "Hahaha, I actually forgot that the one guarding Jinyang is the King of Wei."

After laughing, he suddenly became serious, "Isn't Jinyang in danger?"

Liu Zongxun sighed and shook his head, "You just thought of it? Some time ago, the King of Qin sent someone to impeach the King of Wei, but in the end it was left unresolved, and Your Majesty also got the upper hand. You don't think that His Royal Highness the King of Qin is just a rumor, right? You and I both know what kind of person he is." Dou Cong said "hmm", and then said solemnly: "Your Majesty's heart is unpredictable. The King of Qin has made outstanding achievements and is popular. Even the King of Jin and the King of Qi support the King of Qin as the crown prince. But Your Majesty, do you really want to make the King of Zhao the crown prince?"

Liu Zongxun said: "Your Majesty may not want to establish the King of Zhao, but it is true that you are afraid of the King of Qin."

Dou Cong remained silent and took a sip of wine.

Liu Zongxun also took a sip of wine, and then continued: "It is useless to say more. Even if you are a royal relative, you cannot participate in such matters. We will just watch. Your Majesty still relies on the King of Qin, so he won't go too far."

"I hope so"

On the other side, when Prince of Jin Li Xuanqing returned to his palace, he immediately called Cui Xiaotong, the chief secretary of the Prince of Jin's palace, Chai Xiaohe, a military officer, and Yao Yi and Zu Junyan, the attendants.

Among them, Cui Xiaotong, Chai Xiaohe and Zu Junyan were all former generals from Wagang. After returning to Tang, they were promoted and appointed by Li Xuanqing. Yao Yi was the magistrate of Shan County in the previous dynasty. When Li Xuanqing led his army through Tongguan, he saw that there was no sign of ruin in Shan County and the treasury was full, so he recruited him as a Zhonglang to participate in military discipline.

Li Xuanqing went straight to the point and told what happened in the palace today, and then said with a sigh: "The world has not yet been unified, and Your Majesty has begun to guard against us brothers. This is not a good sign."

Zu Junyan, who was short and only five feet tall, said, "The King of Qi is stationed in Luoyang and has a hundred thousand soldiers. If you don't control him, the world of the Tang Dynasty will be divided. King Jin, you should support your majesty's move."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanqing glanced at Zu Junyan and said, "Do you also think that the King of Qi will be a big problem?"

Zu Junyan said, "Although you and the King of Qin and the King of Qi are brothers, the King of Qi has lived in Guandong for a long time. The people under his jurisdiction are all Jianghuai warriors, and they are clearly separated from the lords in Chang'an. If the King of Qi always stays outside, he will definitely want to establish his own power. I think you should support Yuwen Chengye's proposal to attack Wei this time."

Li Xuanqing frowned, "Is this a good time to attack Wei? Do you think that if the Tang Dynasty attacks Wei, Northern Yan will definitely invade the Central Plains? Then the King of Qi will bear the brunt, and both he and Liu Xuanji will suffer losses?"

Zu Junyan raised his head and said, "Yes, that's right. If Hebei wants to attack Bingzhou, it's an attack from above, and it's not good to send troops. But if we cross the Yellow River, it will be a smooth road. Now Qingzhou is shared by us and Northern Yan. The Yan army can attack the Central Plains along the Yellow River. At that time, the King of Qi will lead the Jianghuai army to fight against the Yan army. This kind of thing will have a hundred benefits and no harm for the King of Qin in Chang'an and you."

Li Xuanji smiled upon hearing this, "I understand what Zu Zhonglang meant, but you still don't. Liu Xuanji is very good at judging the situation and using troops well. He must attack the opponent's weak point. Do you think this weak point is the King of Qi? The three of us brothers have our own strengths, and Silang is a very patient person. The Jianghuai elite troops under his command are well-trained and are the best in the world. They are all willing to fight for him. Do you think Liu Xuanji will go to the Central Plains to fight Silang to the death?
Liu Xuanji knows the King of Qi better than you do."

A gleam of brilliance flashed in Li Xuanji's eyes, and he looked at everyone with a smile.

Cui Xiaotong said: "Your Highness, if we launch an attack on Wei, you are the Grand Chancellor of the Southern Road and the Commander-in-Chief of Jingzhou's military affairs. You are the best choice for the commander-in-chief. If you are also against the use of troops, His Majesty will consider it carefully."

Li Xuanji shook his head unexpectedly, "No need, just watch. I'm not the one playing this game of chess."

(End of this chapter)