Li Shimin said: "Du Qi, you really want to go to war with Datang for three mere dead things. You have to be clear, once you go to war, you may not be able to afford the consequences."
Facing Li Shimin's threat again, Du Qi said directly: "Your Majesty, you have threatened before, and now you are threatening again. If Datang, Tubo, and I go to war at the same time, I have nothing to say. Let's fight first. Sit down and talk. Anyway, I have plenty of patience, what does His Majesty think?"
Li Shimin looked cold and solemn.
Some are in a dilemma.
Du Qi has a trump card in his hand, and Tubo is also watching. Even if he started a war, it would be difficult to handle. But in the current situation, Li Shimin was unwilling to return empty-handed, and wanted to take some benefits back.
Du Qi chose to refuse.
And not afraid of threats.
Li Shimin thought for a while, and then said: "Du Qi, change the condition now, which is the second condition, unconditionally release Hou Junji and all the captured soldiers of the Tang Dynasty."
Du Qi said solemnly: "Your Majesty, you have one point of view that has not changed from the beginning to the end."
Li Shimin said: "What point of view?"
Du Qidao: "I, King Pingxi, was appointed by His Majesty. The area under my jurisdiction also belongs to Datang in name. The problem is, I don't have to obey His Majesty's orders now. The most important thing is that Your Majesty may not be able to sweep the Western Regions now." Sizhou. So, Your Majesty, you can do nothing to me, why should I let him go."
After a pause, Du Qi continued: "In a different way of thinking, Your Majesty should consider how you can redeem Hou Junji. Otherwise, these people really want to stay. They stay in the army and have to pay back every day. Consuming food, I can't keep these people forever."
Li Shimin frowned.
He brought an army to attack Du Qi, but he was threatened by Du Qi unexpectedly.
Du Qi continued: "Your Majesty, it's not pleasant to say something. If I really start a war with the Tang Dynasty regardless of the people's livelihood and economy in the four states, Your Majesty will not be able to endure it. Barefoot people are not afraid of wearing shoes. Anyway, the Western Regions The land of the four states was already poor. It was beaten and disabled, and it will develop later. After the Tang Dynasty was hit hard, it is not easy to rebuild. Especially the Tang Dynasty was only established for more than ten years, and the people who came from the Sui Dynasty Some people may not really lose their ambitions. Your Majesty, do you really want to go to war?"
Li Shimin's heart sank.
Du Qiyue said that the situation seemed to be getting worse for Li Shimin, because Li Shimin had too many worries.
Li Shimin really lost the intention of going to war with Du Qi. He said, "Du Qi, as long as you release Hou Junji and then all the prisoners. Then, I won't pursue your affairs anymore. If you don't think about yourself, You should think about your parents. Anyway, they have always been in Chang'an."
Du Qidao: "Your Majesty, if you don't threaten the safety of my father and the others, I will give you a high opinion. But your majesty mentioned my father, implying that it is actually a threat. It is a little disappointing for your majesty to do so."
Li Shimin said: "I didn't use Du Ruhui to threaten, how to understand it is up to you."
Du Qidao: "Your Majesty, I have already considered it. Your Majesty recognized the reality and admitted that he was wrong, so I released Hou Junji and returned all the captured soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. But now I am very unhappy, so this battle is coming to an end. , there must be conditions."
Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and asked, "What are your conditions?"
Du Qi said: "Your Majesty, my conditions are very simple. First, Your Majesty personally issued an edict to recognize my status in the four states of the Western Regions. Second, apologize to me for slandering me. Third, let the eldest grandson rush to the Western Regions , as a hostage."
Li Shimin said: "Impossible."
Du Qi shrugged his shoulders and said: "Your Majesty is not willing. If I haven't said it, let's go to war. In addition, what I said will always count. After all, Your Majesty is the emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the suzerain country, so I will give you some benefits. "
Having said that, Du Qi picked up the wine bottle again, poured a glass of wine for Li Shimin, and said, "Your Majesty, I respect you for this glass of wine. After this glass of wine, I will accompany you until the end of the war."
Li Shimin picked up the wine bottle and drank a cup. When Du Qi stood up and was about to leave, Li Shimin said again: "Du Qi, are you really going to fight?"
Du Qi paused for a moment before saying: "It is His Majesty who insists on going to war, and I will accompany you to the end."
There was a shadow in Li Shimin's eyes.
For him, now he is caught in a difficult choice. After Du Qi strode away, Li Shimin also stood up and went straight to the front of the army formation. Cheng Yaojin was in his prime, with a fighting spirit on his face, he clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, when are you going to attack? Even if Du Qi has a weapon?But my old Cheng is still willing to be a pioneer, willing to lead troops into battle. "
"Withdraw!"
Li Shimin gave the order.
Following Li Shimin's order, Li Jing, as the marching chief, immediately arranged for it.
The army of more than 200,000 retreated in mighty force. But Changsun Wuji couldn't help it, and asked, "Your Majesty, why didn't we attack with an army of 200,000 and just withdraw?"
At this moment, Changsun Wuji felt a little unhappy in his heart. What happened this time, he never figured out why the army had already lined up and made it clear that they were going to attack, but Li Shimin talked with Du Qi, but chose to withdraw.
It was so surprising.
Li Shimin's face was gloomy and he didn't say a word.
The people around all saw that something was wrong, Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin, Yu Chigong and the others didn't speak. After the army retreated a certain distance and the army set up camp, Li Shimin called everyone together in the central army tent. .
Li Shimin sat on the main seat.
Below are Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin, Yu Chigong, Changsun Wuji and other civil and military officials.
Everyone looked at Li Shimin in unison
There was a puzzled look on his face.
Everyone doesn't understand.
Li Shimin's face sank like water. After a long time, he let out a long breath, looked around the crowd and said: "After talking with Du Qi, the reason why I decided to withdraw is because we are not suitable for fighting Du Qi right now."
Changsun Wuji couldn't wait to say: "Your Majesty, why are we not suitable for fighting Du Qi? Even though Du Qi's army is powerful and even has mysterious weapons, our army is stronger and has a large number of people. More than twenty With Wan's elite, it is impossible not to break through Du Qi's camp."
After a pause, Changsun Wuji continued: "And our army has prepared enough flocks to break through. As long as the flocks clear the way ahead, we can win. We don't need to be afraid of this battle."
Li Shimin said: "The Tubo side has already stationed troops on the border and may attack at any time."
Changsun Wuji frowned and said, "Impossible, we didn't get any news at all before."
Li Shimin said: "It is impossible for Du Qi to lie about this kind of thing. Today's Tubo Zanpu Gongga was supported by Du Qi. The Tubo army has reached the border, and we are facing enemies. Once we start a war with Du Qi, Tubo will also invade .Even if we can divide our forces to resist, the war in Tubo will involve too many of our troops, and it will easily lead to wars in the country. Once such a war starts, it will not be easy to stop."
Changsun Wuji frowned when he heard the words, he thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, if you don't care about Du Qi, if the news about Du Qi spreads out, the Tang Dynasty will never have peace. More people will follow Du Qi's example. Therefore, I think this limelight must be stopped."
Li Shimin said: "I want to stop, but what can I use to stop. You know, Du Qi has tens of thousands of troops today. And Du Qi's weapons are more advanced. I will say a simple thing. Once Du Qi directly Evacuate, retreat back to Rouyuan County, rely on the county to defend to the death. Especially with his weapons, we are only twice as strong as Du Qi, can we take the city?"
After a pause, Li Shimin continued: "To deal with the Turkic people, we can divide and disintegrate, but we can't use these methods to deal with Du Qi. Moreover, Du Qi's people were single-handedly promoted by him, so it is difficult to win over. Even if Datang It is impossible to get out of the war here, and it will not be easy for us to get out in the next step.¡± (Remember the website URL: www.hlnovel.com