Chapter 31 Chang'an Ambition (1) Xiao Sui's reinforcements that Xiao Mian had been waiting for did not appear in the end. For fifty days, Jiangling was almost soaked in blood, and the number of casualties on both sides reached tens of thousands. ? This doesn¡¯t sound like a huge amount. But considering that during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, there was no political and ideological work, so the soldiers naturally did not have any lofty ideals. Being able to fight Ruosi fiercely, the brutality is obvious However, it was Xiao Mian's crazy resistance that allowed Empress Dowager Xiao to calmly arrange her arrangements in Qiantang. There were about 100,000 people from all over Jiangdong who were willing to leave with Empress Dowager Xiao. Among them, most of them are young and strong Zhang Zhongjian knew that the journey was long and full of risks. If you take a group of old, weak, sick and disabled people, I am afraid not many people will be able to reach the destination alive. The Zhang family in Wu County also left behind many old and weak people. However, they did not stay in Wu County. Instead, they accompanied Xie Yingdeng's troops and headed for Lingnan before Empress Dowager Xiao set off. Li Yanqing promised Zhang Zhongjian that he would treat the Zhang family well. Although Zhang and Li are in hostile positions, they trust each other. Since Li Yanqing has made a promise, Zhang Zhongjian will not have the slightest doubt. He knew that those tribesmen who stayed in the Central Plains would grow rapidly under the protection of Li Yanqing. In order to express his gratitude, Zhang Zhongjian handed over some unknown Zhang's properties to Li Yanqing. The Zhang family is a wealthy family with a lot of land and industries to their name, but they also have many secret businesses. Li Yanqing was naturally very satisfied after receiving such a force. However, Li Yanqing was satisfied, but Xiao Mian cried! As Empress Dowager Xiao left for Nanyang, the situation in Jiangdong changed drastically Li Daoxuan was in Luzhou. When he learned that the Jiangdong defense line had actually become a mess, he immediately ordered Xu Shiji and Su Dingfang to lead their troops from Jiangyin and Liyang. At the same time, they attacked across the river Since Xie Yingdeng had already evacuated Jiangning, Li Daoxuan almost had an unimpeded journey. Without encountering any particularly stubborn interception, in just twenty days, they fought all the way from Jiangyin to Qiantang and captured the West Palace; Li Daoxuan and Su Dingfang moved smoothly, and Xu Shiji also had no obstacles along the way. He crossed the river from Liyang and advanced westward. The journey was like wind and clouds. When Li Daoxuan occupied Qiantang, Xu Shiji also conquered Ezhou and occupied Hutoushan. His troops advanced as far as Fangqiao of Hongzhou. If the evacuation of Empress Dowager Xiao made Xiao Mian despair, then the news that Fang Xuanling evacuated without saying a word and that Xu Shiji had conquered Hutou Mountain made Xiao Mian completely give up the idea of ??resistance. But at this time, even if Xiao Mian wanted to surrender, Li Shimin could not agree. The Tang army was obviously furious, especially after paying a huge price, Xiao Mian actually asked to surrender? How could Li Shimin let him get his wish! At the end of summer in the fourth year of Wude, after more than sixty days of bloody battle, Jiangling City was defeated. The moment Li Shimin invaded Jiangling, he issued an order that could be said to be confusing: Massacre the city! If Li Shimin was not in a hurry, he would never have issued such an order. But in the battle of Jiangling, the losses of the Tang army were too heavy. He worked hard in Jiangling, but in the end he lost his troops; who would have thought that Empress Dowager Xiao of Jiangdong did not offer any resistance and just left without a trace The most hateful thing is that Li Daoxuan, who had been deprived of military power by him, was killed without a fight. He took over the entire Jiangdong, which Li Shimin couldn't accept at all. He worked hard and finally got the advantage of Li Daoxuan. How could Li Shimin feel at ease? Therefore, as soon as the massacre order came out, Jiangling suddenly turned into a hell on earth! "I didn't expect that Erlang would do such a thing" Li Yanqing shook his head gently and sighed. Li Yanqing was also shocked when he learned that Li Shimin ordered the massacre of the city. Based on his understanding of Li Shimin, this guy would never have done such a thing unless he was so angry. Although it is said that massacres have occurred since ancient times, it can be considered a common occurrence. But this does not mean that the city can be massacred casually. Once the order to massacre the city is issued, Li Shimin will inevitably bear heavy pressure, which will definitely not be good for his reputation. Li Shimin's purpose in holding the Pingliang War was to earn enough military merit and fame. Now, although the military merits have been obtained, half of them have been divided by Li Daoxuan; the reputation "Young Master, if the King of Qin does such a thing, the court will definitely punish him. The King of Qin is the Young Master's great enemy. If he is punished, the Young Master will be punished." Isn't it a great benefit? Why does the young master look worried?" Shen Guang asked doubtfully. At this time, they were sitting on a carriage returning to Xuanhua. When he learned the news about Li Shimin¡¯s massacre, Li Yanqing was initially delighted.Happy, but immediately fell into deep thought. "Do you think Erlang will be punished for the massacre of the city?" Shen Guangqi asked: "Isn't it possible?" Li Yanqing smiled and shook his head, "The person who benefited the most from this battle in Pingnan is none other than Daoxuan. But If the King of Qin will be left out because of this, the possibility is not too great Now that the Prince of Chang'an is becoming more and more mature, His Majesty has become somewhat alienated from the Prince. If Li Shimin's victory is good, Your Majesty may still be there. I don¡¯t dare to recall him easily. But this battle Just watch. The imperial court will issue an order to return to Chang¡¯an soon. But I am sure that your Majesty will not be left out because of this, and will even be entrusted with important tasks. Old Shen, do you know why this is?" Shen Guang was stunned and shook his head to express that he didn't understand. "Your Majesty is so talented, how can you not know Erlang's ambition? Although Erlang is talented, his experience is still a little short after all If he achieves great success, he will inevitably conflict with the prince after returning to Chang'an, and it is even possible that he will This will shake the foundation of the country. Although your majesty is a little wary of the prince, he is generally satisfied with the prince. King Qin's outstanding performance and outstanding military achievements will definitely pose a threat to the prince; but if the King of Qin's achievements are not high, he is still there. Jiangling Massacre Haha, I'm sure that in the end, His Majesty will definitely reprimand him, and then he will definitely re-appoint King Qin to balance the power of the Crown Prince. What Your Majesty needs is someone who can restrain the Crown Prince, but not someone who can replace the Crown Prince. Just watch, it won't take long, there will be results!" Shen Guang couldn't help but scratch his head and smile bitterly, "Things in this court are really complicated, but if this happens, wouldn't it cost many people's lives ¡± It makes sense when you think about it. Not everyone can be as sober as Li Yanqing, and there will definitely be many people who turn to King Qin. But in this way, when Li Jiancheng ascends the throne in the future, he will definitely go on a killing spree. Li Yanqing smiled and said solemnly: "If you don't use it for me, you will become the enemy It can be gentle wind and drizzle, or wind, rain and thunder, just in the prince's thoughts. Maybe, this is the so-called emperor's mind trick!" Shen Guang was still a little helpless. Understanding the mystery, he simply shut his mouth. Since you don¡¯t understand, then don¡¯t bother. Anyway, as far as Shen Guang is concerned, he is following Li Yanqing now. As long as Li Yanqing is not involved, he doesn't need to worry about it. There was silence in the carriage. Li Yanqing said nothing more, and Shen Guang didn't talk about these things anymore. After all, Chang'an is still far away for them now. At least for now, the ups and downs in Chang'an cannot affect Lingnan Outside the carriage, there was a sudden shouting. Immediately afterwards, the violent roar of Xiong Kuo Hai came in: "The King of Henan is out on patrol, who is blocking the way?" "Don't misunderstand, it's one of our own Please tell the King of Henan, Qian Sui, that Luo Dou, Shuai Ronggui, is in the twenty-fourth cave." Mr. Du, I have something to ask you to see the King of Henan!" Is it Luo Dou? But from the voice, you can¡¯t hear the arrogance from before. Li Yanqing raised the corners of his mouth, showing a soft arc He nodded slightly and said to Shen Guang: "Fish, you're hooked!"