Chapter 248: Long-term planning

Jie Li and Tong Yehu looked unhappy, especially Jie Li. He had learned that the Tang Dynasty's Bingzhou troops were heading north and engaged in battle with the support troops he had arranged.

What made him even more uneasy was that his confidants who stayed in Dali City had not contacted him for a long time.

"We can't delay any longer. We should each send troops to cover the rear and retreat together to Wuyuan County."

A look of pain flashed across Tong Yehu's face. The remaining troops could not be lost. If they could not delay the Tang army, their sacrifice would be meaningless.

Moreover, those who clearly know that they are the rear guard and not flee must be the elite and trusted soldiers under his command, and they must account for at least half of the total number of troops.

Tong Yehu could not help but secretly resent Jie Li. He had long ago said that they should retreat, but Jie Li insisted on advancing. As a result, now they didn't even have the chance to retreat without cutting off flesh and bones.

But now they were in the same boat after all, so Tong Yehu nodded. After the two separated, they summoned their confidants to speed up the arrangements, but they secretly reminded their subordinates to let the other side hold on first and try their best to preserve their strength.

Even though they knew that this action might cause trouble, they still couldn't help it, because they all guessed that the other party would do so, so if they didn't do so, wouldn't they be at a disadvantage?

Whoever retains more soldiers and horses will have more chances at the critical moment. Not only can he return to the country smoothly, but he may also be able to use the Tang Dynasty to eliminate the opponent.

Although we failed to take advantage of the Central Plains, we were able to take the opportunity to annex the other side, which is also a very profitable business.

But they did not expect that after such arrangements, their generals came to report early the next morning that more than a thousand soldiers had escaped last night, and hundreds of them had directly surrendered to the Tang camp.

"Khan, if this cannot be stopped, I'm afraid more troops will flee."

With such fierce fighting every day, the Tang army relied on the emperor's rewards at all costs to maintain high morale, but the Turks had never received large-scale rewards, and their morale had already reached a very dangerous level.

But they suddenly ordered a withdrawal and left tens of thousands of soldiers behind to cover their retreat, which naturally frightened everyone.

Jie Li Khan shouted angrily: "Why don't you send people to hunt them down and bring back their heads!"

Tong Yehu ordered his personal guards to guard the camp gate at night to prevent his subordinates from escaping at night.

After all the generals had received the order, the two looked at each other and decided that they couldn't delay any longer. If they delayed any further, the Tang army wouldn't have to attack, and they would blow up their camp themselves. They would retreat tomorrow!"

In the Tang army camp, a captain reported the intelligence he had learned from the surrendered Turkic soldiers to the Duke of Lihu County.

"The Turks are really going to withdraw, most likely in the next two days. What should we do?"

Xu Shiji received the emperor's secret decree yesterday, and now he was much more relaxed. He comforted everyone and said, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate. Just don't spare any effort."

There were many smart people in the tent, and they could roughly guess from the commander-in-chief's attitude that His Majesty had other plans.

Fang Xuanling said: "The Turkic army is unstable and morale is low. Most of the soldiers left behind are difficult to inspire. Maybe we can surrender them."

There were many Turkic generals in the Tang army from the beginning to the end. There was a tall general in the tent. He was once a member of the Western Turkic royal family. During the Sui Dynasty, he surrendered with the Western Turkic Khan Chorokhan and later followed the Tang king...

After paying his respects to Xu Shiji, Ashinai said, "As long as we capture and kill the few remaining Turkic generals, I can lead the Turkic troops who have come to surrender in the past two days and order them to abandon their troops and surrender."

Xu Shiji nodded and ordered: "Just keep an eye on the enemy camp, but do not send troops without authorization, so as not to fall into an ambush."

"promise."

…………

Li Jiancheng walked slowly into Tai'an Palace. It had been a long time since he saw his father again.

"May the Emperor be well and safe." "May the Emperor be well and safe."

The father and son looked at each other for a long time. After a long while, Li Yuan turned away and sighed: "I was wrong. I shouldn't have had such wishful thinking, but I really didn't want to do anything to you. It's just..."

"He just wants to seize power and rule the country himself. To do this, he is willing to accept the support of the noble families and destroy our country!"

Li Yuan's face turned ugly: "This country belongs to my family. How can I give it to outsiders? I am already this old. I still have a few years to live. In the end, it will not be yours."

Li Jiancheng said with a smile: "It's not that I would give it to another family, but you have five sons."

"The throne has been decided, so it is reasonable to change it."

"If the emperor is the emperor, what's the difficulty in changing his son to inherit the family business?"

Li Yuan was speechless, but Li Jiancheng walked to the side and sat down: "But I am willing to believe my father, at least he didn't have this idea at that time."

Li Yuan's face became better and he advised: "Jiancheng, I know you are angry, but enough people have been killed, and there are no more of my confidants in the court. Don't worry, this situation will not happen again.

Those who have been killed should be spared, but those who have been exiled should still be treated with mercy, Yuanji..."

"Your Majesty, I did not ask you about politics."

Li Yuan's face turned red. He thought his son came to ease the relationship with him. He had also admitted defeat. Wasn't it impossible for him to just maintain a little dignity?
Li Yuan stood up angrily and asked, "Then what are you doing here? Do you want to kill your father?"

"I have indeed thought about it, and it has been more than a year or two. It is only because I miss my grandmother and mother, and because you are willing to voluntarily give up the throne, that I have allowed the disaster to continue until today."

Li Jiancheng's tone was calm, and there was no hatred or resentment in his eyes. He just said the unpleasant words truthfully.

Li Yuan couldn't believe it. In his impression, although the father and son were not very close, they always had a tacit understanding and worked together to strengthen the family.

But from what his son said, he had the idea of ​​killing his father many years ago.

Li Jiancheng said with a smile: "There is no father and son in the royal family. I have been determined to be the master of the country since I was young. Naturally, I don't want to have a heavenly father to suppress my head. Why are you so surprised, father?"

Li Yuan was no longer able to speak. He looked at the figure in court robes and a crown with a gaze that was not like looking at his son or even a person.

Because such words are really heretical, not to mention the Central Plains, a country of etiquette, even the barbarians like the Turks should not make such remarks.

Then came fear, because such words would normally only be said to a dead person who would never be able to speak again.

Li Yuan naturally didn't want to die yet. He still felt that he was still young and strong and his end was far away. One of his concubines became pregnant yesterday, and he still had too much wealth and glory to enjoy.

Li Yuan's legs and feet felt weak and he wanted to beg, but his father's dignity prevented him from opening his mouth. However, his eyes were already red.

Just when he put everything aside and was about to speak, Li Jiancheng stood up and said, "Your Majesty, you don't have to leave Tai'an Palace anymore, and you don't have to see too many guests. Just enjoy your old age."

Li Yuan only felt a breath stuck in his chest, and then he began to sweat all over and his face turned pale.

Before leaving the palace, the emperor looked back and said, "By the way, you'd better take it easy. I won't show any sympathy or care for the children you have in the future. If you want to consider your children's long-term future, it's better to have fewer children."

………………

(End of this chapter)