20demayo Chapter 236 Qin Qiong, the Qin Runaway
Chapter 236 Qin Qiong, the Qin Runaway
"Shut up!"
Li Yuan looked at his third son, frowned, and began to reprimand him, his voice stern.
Before the elder brother could speak, and before the second brother could say anything, what kind of behavior was this, interrupting so haphazardly?
Besides, what he said was like farting; did he really need to remind us about raising an army?
Who here doesn't know?
The key questions are: when to launch an attack and how to launch one.
What is the justification for starting the uprising, and what should be done after the uprising? These are the truly important matters that need to be discussed.
"Father, let my second brother speak."
Li Jiancheng pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, handing the floor to Li Shimin.
"Then, Shimin, you speak."
"Father, I think it is time to send troops."
Li Shimin stepped forward, his tone calm and composed.
On his way here, he had already guessed Yang Guang's intentions and made his decision in his heart.
"Second Brother! Why help Yang Guang fight Dou Jiande?"
We should seize this opportunity to send troops and occupy the entire Bingzhou!
"Father, your daughter also agrees with your second brother's suggestion."
Li Xiuning stepped forward and spoke with poise and grace.
The world is in chaos, with rebellions breaking out everywhere.
The Li family has been discreetly protecting themselves in Taiyuan for a long time, appearing peaceful on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents are surging.
Now that the imperial court has given them the opportunity to send troops, they should seize it.
After hearing this, Li Yuan nodded, his eyes showing approval.
With the imperial court's authorization, the Li family could openly and legitimately send troops, and no one could say anything against it.
While quelling the rebellion, they could also reclaim the territory and expand their power, achieving two goals at once.
As for whether the land will belong to the Yang or Li family after it's been conquered, that's up to the Li family.
"Father, if we respond to the imperial court and send troops to punish Dou Jiande, wouldn't that be showing the world our stance?"
At that moment, Li Jiancheng voiced his doubts.
The term "fence-sitter" may not sound pleasant, but it implies wavering between two sides and indecisiveness.
But this is precisely the way the Li family has survived and thrived in the chaos of the times.
They did not want to offend Yang Guang, and outwardly they were extremely respectful.
Secondly, he didn't offend those who opposed the Sui Dynasty, and maintained many private interactions with them, leaving room for maneuver.
But now, once troops are deployed, there will be no room for maneuver.
Is there ever a way to have it all?
After pondering for a moment, Li Yuan slowly spoke.
The minority must submit to the majority. No matter how unwilling or anxious Li Yuanji was, Li Yuan made the decision.
They helped the Sui Dynasty fight against Dou Jiande and recover Hebei.
However, the territory that has been conquered must be firmly held in one's own hands.
This is his bottom line, and also the future he plans for the Li family.
Li Xiuning, Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, and others all agreed to this decision, and each of them was already planning their next steps.
"Xiuning, how is your journey north with Sichang to conquer Liu Wuzhou in Shuozhou?"
Now that he was preparing to send troops, Li Yuan naturally wouldn't just focus on Dou Jiande's route.
Liu Wuzhou of Shuozhou, also under the banner of rebellion, occupied a considerable territory.
If we can wipe them out and take control of Shuozhou, the northern barrier of Taiyuan will be completely secured.
"Yes, ma'am!" After hearing this, Li Xiuning exchanged a glance with Chai Shao and accepted the task without hesitation.
Although she was a woman, she was just as capable as any man, and when it came to leading troops into battle, she was in no way inferior to any man.
"Jiancheng, Shimin, you two will take Yuanba and lead an eastern expedition against Dou Jiande to recover Hebei."
Subsequently, Li Yuan assigned tasks to his eldest and second sons.
"Please rest assured, Father, we will surely return victorious from this expedition."
Li Jiancheng cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, full of confidence.
With Li Yuanba around, it would be difficult for them to lose.
"What about me? What about me?"
Seeing that everyone else had tasks while he was idle on the side, Li Yuanji became extremely anxious and kept asking him questions.
"Shimin, bring him along."
Li Yuan glanced at his good-for-nothing third son and sighed helplessly.
He really didn't want to see Li Yuanji; even his presence in Taiyuan was an eyesore.
"understood."
Li Shimin reluctantly agreed.
He thought he could take this opportunity to get rid of Li Yuanji, that noisy fellow, but to his surprise, his father still forced him into the care of him.
Immediately, the Li family of Taiyuan split into two groups.
Heading north, led by Li Xiuning and Chai Shao, they marched north to attack Liu Wuzhou.
Heading east, led by Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, and accompanied by Li Yuanba, they marched out of the Taihang Mountains and headed straight for Dou Jiande in Hebei.
When Dou Jiande learned that Li Yuan had dispatched Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin to lead an army eastward to attack him, he immediately summoned his generals for a meeting.
Inside the main tent, Qin Qiong, Liu Heita, Wang Fubao, Ling Jing, and others rushed over.
Compared to the high spirits of Liu Heita, Wang Fubao, and others, Qin Qiong's condition was much worse than before.
His face was pale, his eyes were sunken and bloodshot, and he looked extremely haggard.
In recent days, because of Luo Yi's death, he has had many nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat every night.
In addition, there were rumors circulating that he was an ungrateful and treacherous person.
It was the ungrateful wretch who killed his own uncle that made him unable to hold his head high wherever he went.
From beginning to end, he never intended to kill Luo Yi.
It was Dou Jiande who orchestrated this step by step, ruining his reputation and turning him into a villain condemned by everyone.
Over time, Qin Qiong developed resentment towards Dou Jiande.
"Shubao, you're getting married soon, so you need to cheer up."
Dou Jiande was furious when he saw his future son-in-law's pathetic state.
Luo Yi is already dead, so who is Qin Qiong trying to impress with that mournful look on his face?
What's the use?
Moreover, he had already agreed to marry his daughter Dou Xianniang to Qin Qiong.
Qin Qiong should cheer up and prepare for his wedding instead of always wearing a long face.
"Yes." Qin Qiong blinked after hearing this, trying to cheer himself up.
"Now, Li Yuan has dispatched Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng to attack us. What strategies do you have to repel them?"
Dou Jiande turned his head and asked Liu Heita, Wang Fubao and others questions.
"I've heard that the Li family has a Li Yuanba, who is incredibly strong and truly a formidable opponent."
As Dou Jiande's chief clerk, Ling Jing knew all the heroes in the world, and at this moment he spoke with great concern.
"Li Yuanba possessed immense strength, and Shubao's brother Luo Shixin was no less so!"
Dou Jiande dismissed the question, instead laughing with unwavering confidence.
Luo Shixin's performance during the attack on Beiping Prefecture these past few days has been evident to all; he is simply brave and invincible.
Compared to Lü Xiao of the Sui Dynasty, he was no less impressive!
However, there is one downside.
Luo Shixin listened to Qin Qiong too much; he treated Qin Qiong's words as imperial edicts, doing whatever he was told.
Dou Jiande glanced at Qin Qiong without making a sound, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
In the past few days, he has learned everything about Qin Qiong's deeds.
This guy, putting aside all his other skills, is definitely a master at running away.
When Lü Xiao attacked Wagang, Qin Qiong fled to Beiping Prefecture.
Later, he couldn't stay in Beiping Prefecture any longer, so he ran away and came to Dou Jiande's place.
This time, when Li Shimin comes to attack Hebei, he absolutely cannot let Qin Qiong escape again.