Li Mi decided to take over Jiangnan because he wanted to seize the southeast corner and form a three-legged tripod of the Sui, Tang and Wei. Once the momentum was formed, it would affect the whole body. If the Sui and Tang wars, Li Mi would launch the Central Plains and restrain the Sui army from the east. If the Sui army attacked Wei, the Tang army would attack Hedong and Guannei from the west, forcing the Sui army to withdraw.

This is actually a replica of the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu that year, forming a three-legged tripod. The confrontation situation is likely to last for decades. This is the result that Yang Yuanqing would never want to see. Therefore, he must break the trend of the three kingdoms before the Tang and Wei formed an alliance, destroy the weaker Wei Li Mi, and turn the three kingdoms into a showdown between the two strong.

But Yang Yuanqing also knew that even if the Tang and Wei had not formed an alliance, the Tang Dynasty would see the danger of the Sui army's attack on Wei and the opportunity of the Sui army's insufficient troops. Will they seize this opportunity? Although the Tang Dynasty had already shown a cowardly and the possibility was not high, Yang Yuanqing did not want to take any risks in this decisive strategy.

He recruited 100,000 new recruits to guard Hedong and Hebei, while general Qin Qiong led a 100,000 army to the inner road of Guannei. In addition, 30,000 garrisons led by Sheng Yan's division in Huining County, he suppressed Guanzhong from the east and west lines, forcing the Tang army to dare not act rashly.

This is just a strategy, and from a tactical perspective, Qin Qiong also used a strategy discussed with Yang Yuanqing in advance to fight the Red Eagle Military Flag of the Phnom Penh, which means that Yang Yuanqing himself is also in the pass.

The 130,000 Sui Dynasty troops entered the pass, sharpening their swords and pointed directly at Guanzhong, which put the Tang court under great pressure. However, on the other hand, the strong threat of the Sui army also eased the sharp conflict between the Li father and son.

The conflict between Li Yuan and Li Shimin had reached an irreconcilable level. Li Shimin left the capital without authorization and went to Fufeng County. In name, he was going to train troops, but in fact he controlled the 50,000 elite soldiers in Fufeng County, causing Li Yuan's plan to put Li Shimin under house arrest and completely deprive him of military power.

Li Yuan was extremely angry. On the one hand, he ordered Li Shentong, who was stationed in Tongguan, to take over the 30,000 elite soldiers stationed in Fengyi County. On the other hand, Li Yuan gave nine gold medals in a row to order Li Shimin to enter the capital, but Li Shimin just ignored it.

Seeing that the conflicts at the top of the Tang Dynasty were about to intensify, the Sui army's strong entry into the pass temporarily eased this contradiction. Li Yuan changed Li Shimin to the marshal of the Western Route Army, which barely admitted his control over the 50,000 troops...

Yong County, Fufeng County. This is the county seat of Fufeng County. The 50,000 troops controlled by Li Shimin, except for Changsun Wuji, who led 10,000 troops stationed at Dasan Pass, the other 40,000 troops were all stationed near Yong County. Li Shimin did not live in the county town, but lived in the military camp, firmly controlling this army.

In the white handsome tent, Li Shimin stood in front of a huge wooden map with his hands behind his back, pondering for a long time. Although he was not in Chang'an, he could still get the latest news from Tang Feng, including the emergency express sent by Li Xiaogong this morning.

By linking all kinds of sporadic information, Li Shimin seemed to have discovered a huge crisis. But he still had some things he had not figured out, and he needed to sort out his ideas clearly.

At this time, Fang Xuanling slowly walked to him and whispered: "Does your Highness think that Yang Yuanqing is not in the pass, and the Golden Border Red Eagle Banner is just a void plan for the Sui army?"

Li Shimin nodded and said in a deep voice: "I always feel that Xiao Xian and Du Fuwei jointly attacked Li Mi at this time. It seems that their actions have something to do with the Sui army entering the inner road."

"Why does Your Highness think this way?"

"I was wondering why Xiao Xian and Du Fuwei were not afraid of the Tang army attacking their rear route? As a result, news came from Li Xiaogong that Xu Shiji had a 40,000 army stationed in Xinye County, less than a hundred miles away from Xiangyang. This made me suddenly think that Xiao Xian and Du Fuwei attacked Li Mi because it was actually Yang Yuanqing's arrangement, so Yang Yuanqing came to solve the threat of the Tang army behind them. So, Yang Yuanqing's real target was not the Tang Dynasty, but Li Mi. Is that true?"

"Your Highness is very careful in thinking, which is admirable!"

Fang Xuanling sincerely exclaimed and said, "Actually, I also think it's a bit strange that Xiao Xian and Du Fuwei jointly attack Li Mi, because in the last battle, Du Fuwei and Xiao Xian also suffered heavy losses, and even Fu Gongyou was killed. In just two months, how could Du Fuwei recover and attack Li Mi again? Therefore, Xiao Du's alliance was not their original intention, but the result of Yang Yuanqing's forced troops to send troops."

After Fang Xuanling's statement, Li Shimin's thoughts became clearer, but he still had some confusion. He pointed to Qingzhou on the map and said, "The only thing I can't understand is that since Yang Yuanqing wants to attack Li Mi, why don't he take Qingzhou first? Apart from Qingzhou, how could he send troops from the north? If the troops enter Peng County, wouldn't he be afraid of Liu Heita attacking from behind?"

Fang Xuanling smiled faintly, "This is Yang Yuanqing's brilliantness, which confused Li Mi, thinking that Yang Yuanqing would not attack Jiangnan without taking Qingzhou, but he forgot the most important point, forgetting how Yang Yuanqing took Goryeo."

Li Shimin was shocked. He quickly looked carefully on the map and drew a route from the Sui army's Luhe Army Port. He couldn't help but take a breath of air. At this time, everything was suddenly understood by Li Shimin. Xiao Du's coalition was just a bait. Li Mi's real danger was on the waterway.

"no!"

Li Shimin immediately made a decision: "We must notify Li Mi immediately about this matter and let him guard against the Sui army's attack from the water."

Fang Xuanling sighed, "Your Highness, I'm afraid it's too late."

"this...."

Li Shimin showed disappointment on his face, and he said worriedly: "If Li Mi is destroyed, the Sui army will be out of control in the east. In the next step, the Sui army will all surround Guanzhong. Sir, we are in danger!"

Fang Xuanling said slowly: "Maybe there is another strategy that can save the overall situation, but I am afraid that the emperor will not accept it."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and frowned, "Sir, are you saying... to send troops to Central Plains?"

Fang Xuanling nodded, "Send troops to the Central Plains and force Xu Shiji to retreat, so that Li Xiaogong can attack Xiao Xian and Du Fuwei from behind and restore Li Mi's decline. Perhaps Li Mi can still have a glimmer of hope."

Li Shimin walked a few steps behind his back, and he knew it would be difficult to persuade his father at this time, but the situation was critical, so he had to give it a try anyway.

"Then I'll write a letter to Xiao Xiangguo."

.........

The 100,000 Sui troops entered Yan'an County, which made Chang'an very nervous. At present, there are 150,000 troops garrisons in the entire Guanzhong area. In addition to the 30,000 troops in Fengyi County and 50,000 elite troops in Fufeng County, there are 80,000 troops in Chang'an City, led by Li Xiaoji and stationed in Bashang.

In addition, Chai Shao led 30,000 troops to station in Shangjun and Beidi County, and 20,000 troops in Longxi County and Hehuang areas. 200,000 troops were distributed around Guanzhong, building Guanzhong defenses like iron barrels.

That morning, after the morning court passed, Xiao Yu hurried to Li Yuan's imperial study. He received a handwritten letter from Li Shimin very late yesterday. In the letter, Li Shimin mentioned that Yang Yuanqing would probably go south from the sea to attack Jiangdu City. Although Li Shimin was just speculating, Xiao Yu also felt that this possibility was very high. With Yang Yuanqing's personality of like to use tricks, he was very likely to take this move.

More importantly, Xiao Yu agreed with Li Shimin's point of view. Li Mi in the East is extremely important. Maintaining a three-legged squad will help the current situation to stabilize. Xiao Yu must explain this to Li Yuan clearly.

Xiao Yu walked all the way and walked into the Wude Hall. Soon after, he came to the imperial study room. He bowed to the eunuch on duty at the door, "Please report to the emperor for me, and say that Xiao Yu has something urgent to ask for a meeting!"

The eunuch nodded and went in, and came out for a moment and said, "Xiao Xiangguo, the emperor invites you to go in."

Xiao Yu sorted out his clothes and hats a little, straightened his thoughts a little, and then he walked into the imperial study room.

In the imperial study room, Li Yuan was discussing the spring plowing matter with the prince. There was a serious shortage of plowing oxen and horses in various parts of the Tang Dynasty. Local officials asked the court for help. Li Jiancheng meant that if he could temporarily borrow some horses from the army and return the horses to the army after the spring plowing was over, which made Li Yuan very embarrassed.

After all, 100,000 Sui troops were under the northern army, and they asked him to lend out the army horses for spring plowing. This is probably inappropriate. Li Yuan thought for a while and said, "Guanlong is all winter wheat. There is no need to cultivate in spring. Just send the oxen and livestock from Guanlong to Hanzhong and Bashu to ensure that the rice seedlings can be planted in time. Do you think this is OK?"

Li Jiancheng said: "Maybe we can buy some scalpers from the Qiang people in Western Shu to help them get rid of their eyebrows. What does the father think?"

Li Yuan thought for a while and said with a smile: "This is OK. If you can ask them to buy some horses, it would be the best."

"My son can let officials in Shu give it a try."

At this moment, Xiao Yu quickly walked in, bowed and said, "I am going to see Your Majesty!"

"Is there anything important to Xiao Xiangguo?" Li Yuan asked softly. He always valued Xiao Yu very much.

Xiao Yu dared not say that Li Shimin wrote to him, especially when Li Jiancheng was present, it would be better to avoid Li Shimin. He hurriedly said: "Report to Your Majesty, I am considering last night that Xiao Du's coalition forces attacked Li Mi, which is very likely just bait. I can conclude that Yang Yuanqing has sent troops from the sea to attack the Wei army from behind. Your Majesty, the Wei army is in danger!"

In fact, Li Yuan also knew that everyone had discussed the importance of Li Mi at the court meeting. With Li Mi restraining Yang Yuanqing in the East, the Sui army did not dare to attack the Tang Dynasty with all their might. Li Yuan sighed slightly, "Even so, it is probably too late to inform Li Mi. It will take at least twenty days to rush from Chang'an to Jiangdu. At that time, the battle may have ended long ago."

"Your Majesty, there is a way to save it!"

"What method?" Li Yuan seemed to feel something, and he looked at Xiao Yu vigilantly.

"Your Majesty, we can send troops to the Central Plains and force the Sui army in Nanyang County to retreat, so that the King of Jing can attack Xiaodu's coalition from behind..."

"impossible!"

Before Xiao Yu finished speaking, Li Yuan shook his head without any room for negotiation, "I gave up on such interests and signed an agreement with the Sui Dynasty. I would never ruin the agreement and let Yang Yuanqing seize our handle again."

.............)
Chapter completed!