The best idlers of the Tang Dynasty

Inside the big tent of the Flying Tiger Army, Taizong was sitting in command, Li Chengqian, Du Rui, Changsun Wuji, and Fang Xuanling were separated on both sides. Ma Xuanliang was sent out of the tent by Taizong, and ordered not to let anyone approach him.

Taizong looked at Du Rui and said: "Du Rui! I heard from the prince that you are knowledgeable and talented. I don't want to talk about it, but I never thought that you have gained something in military affairs, so I want to take an exam!"

Du Rui also met Taizong a few times, but he didn't feel nervous, so he said immediately after hearing the words: "Please ask the emperor to come up with a question!"

Taizong pretended to ponder, and said: "In your opinion, what is the most important thing about my military affairs in the Tang Dynasty?"

Du Rui said without hesitation: "The Northern Expedition to the Turks is the shame of the Xuewei Bridge!"

Taizong's eyes suddenly became sharper, looking at Du Rui, said: "How can the Weiqiao alliance be a disgrace!?"

Du Rui knew that Emperor Taizong intended to do this, so he didn't panic, and said: "In the battle of Weiqiao, although we in the Tang Dynasty had a small victory, we had to buy Xieli back with money in the end. How can we not call it a shame, Your Majesty! Now I am After four years of recuperation in the Tang Dynasty, the national power is incomparable to that of Wude's nine years, now the time has come, why is your majesty still hesitating!"

Taizong was slightly displeased when Du Rui, a young boy, forced him to question him like this, but after hearing Du Rui's words, he seemed to have other meanings, so he asked, "How do you say the time has come!?"

Du Rui got up, facing Taizong and Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling cupped his hands, and said: "Back then, in the Weiqiao alliance, my Tang Dynasty had to make compromises for the stability of the country, transport gold and beads, and form a brotherly alliance with the Turks. However, in April this year, the Turks invaded Suizhou for no reason, killing tens of thousands of people. Last month, the Eastern Turkic generals Yarkin and Ashnadur led their troops to harass Hexi. Fortunately, the defenders of Suzhou Zhang Shigui, Zhang Bao, the general of Ganzhou, commanded the troops to fight against each other, fortified the walls and cleared the fields, and used the city to block the Turkic cavalry. In the end, the Turkic people returned without success. Now the Northern Expedition is not because of the Tang Dynasty's betrayal of the alliance, but because of the Turkic lack of faith. , It can be said that the master is famous! Moreover, due to the successive years of wars and the frost and drought this year, the people of the Turkic people were exhausted and the livestock were thin. Many sheep and horses were frozen to death and starved to death. Dissatisfied, now Xue Yantuo, Huihe, Bayegu, and Tongluo tribes also took the opportunity to revolt, and together pushed Xue Yantuo's leader, Yinan, as Zhenzhu Khan. Jie Li's face and heart are not in harmony, the Northern Expedition is just right at this time, and the time is right, and it will be a success in one battle!"

Although Taizong valued Du Rui, he never thought that Du Rui would have such insight, and he couldn't help but feel more confident when he heard the words, but seeing that Du Rui didn't seem to have finished his words, he asked: "In your opinion, how should we enter the army, don't worry and be bold Say, even if you are wrong, I will not blame you!"

After speaking, he asked people to fetch the map. The five monarchs and ministers surrounded the map and listened to Du Rui's eloquent talk: "Although the time is right now, the Turks have been ravaging the desert for many years, and Xieli is even more powerful for a while, and most of the iron cavalry under the tent are brave. First, the Holy One can make a big fanfare, and in the name of the Turkic invasion of Hexi for no reason, divide the troops into six groups. The first The road can be used to make Lord Li, Minister of the Ministry of War, the chief of the march of Dingxiang Road and lead the Chinese army; the governor of Bingzhou to be the chief of the march of Tongmo Road, and lead the main force from the East Road to directly attack the hinterland of the Eastern Turks; Mr. Chai, the governor of Huazhou, to be the chief of the march of Jinhe Road , marched along the Yellow River on the West Road, echoing Li Jing and Li Ji; the Minister of Rites Rencheng Junwang was the chief marching officer of Datong Road, marching from Lingzhou to the northwest; The Turkic army fled eastward; Xue Wanche, the governor of Lingzhou, was the general manager of the Changwu Dao march, and used the northeast to attack the Turkic rear to monitor Tuli."

Taizong was secretly startled when he heard this. Although Changsun Wuji didn't know anything about military matters, seeing Fang Xuanling's surprised expression, he knew that Du Rui's plan was very clever. All of Jieli's retreats were blocked.

"If there is one, there must be the other. These six ways are correct, so where is the wonder?"

Du Rui said: "These six roads can be advanced with great fanfare. The Holy One can send another general to lead thousands of Xiao cavalry to set off from Mayi, and the grassroots will overtake them. This road will allow Hou Jun to gather, Lord Hou will lead the army, enter the evil Yangling, and attack by night. Xiangcheng. Jieli must not have expected that our Tang army would dare to go deep alone, and the other six groups would harass and rush forward from time to time. His heart must be panicked. Divide his tribe and harass him from time to time, Jieli will not dare to stay, and will continue to lead his troops to retreat in the direction of Yinshan Mountain. However, even though Jieli was defeated, he would definitely not accept it. If he was allowed to flee to Mobei and attach himself to Xue Yantuo It will be very difficult to chase and destroy them if they wait for the troops. You can send envoys to appease them, and another Lord Hou will lead the troops to Baidao to join Li Ji and Lord Li, and select the best cavalry to attack them. Seeing Tang envoys coming to comfort him, Jieli thinks everything is safe. They will surely be captured without a fight."

"Okay!" Taizong couldn't help applauding after hearing Du Rui's speech, and laughed, "You little boy, how can you have such insight? It's really God's blessing to my Tang Dynasty, so that the child prodigy can come to the world. In my opinion, Even Zhuge Kongming in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" may not be able to have your strategy. Zhuge Kongming knew three parts of the world before he was a fledgling. , I understand it in my heart, if the Turks can't be destroyed this time, it's God's will!"

When Du Rui heard this, he couldn't help but feel ashamed. His plan was nothing more than Li Jing's tactics when he destroyed the Eastern Turks when he was reading Tang history in his previous life. The great achievement was handed over to Hou Junji. Although Hou Junji had many flaws in his evaluation of him in history, he was Li Chengqian's great help after all. Du Rui naturally wanted him to make this great achievement.

"Your Majesty praises you, the grassroots are young and rebellious, and you talk about military affairs, and please forgive me!" Du Rui naturally knew that his remarks just now had violated some rules, but thinking of the tolerance of Emperor Taizong, he naturally couldn't help it. It will be strange, but it is still necessary to apologize.

"Your small mistake is nothing compared to the great cause of the Northern Expedition. It's a good one, a good one!" Taizong laughed, and then said to Fang Xuanling, "Xuanling! Think about it, Du Rui's strategy of helping each other with righteousness and strangeness, is there any loophole?"

Fang Xuanling thought for a while, then smiled and said: "This Du Chengming thinks about everything, and he should be killed if he should die. I can't see any flaws. It's just that I don't know something, and I want to ask for advice!"

Du Rui hurriedly said: "Don't dare to ask for advice, my lord. If you want to ask anything, just ask!"

Fang Xuanling was not too polite, and said with a smile: "Why is the important task of raiding Jieli Yazhang not assigned to the marching commander Li Yaoshi, but Hou Junji to lead the army!"

Seeing the deep meaning on Fang Xuanling's face, Du Rui sighed in his heart. It seemed that he had underestimated the wisdom of the ancients. His little thoughtfulness and daring were all taken into account by others. It was natural for him to use Li Jing to lead the army in a surprise attack. The best result, but Li Jing has never been very involved in the disputes among the princes of Taizong. Even the change of Xuanwumen back then, the two did not help each other. In this battle, there should be no problem in winning. If so, Hou Jun should not be allowed to make this contribution.

Thinking about it, Du Rui said: "For this raid, the selected soldiers should be the elite of the army. Lord Hou has always had the law to command soldiers, and everyone under his command dares to die, so Cao Min presumptuously recommended Lord Hou. If Lord Fang thinks it is inappropriate , the grass people have nothing to say!"

Taizong naturally also guessed Du Rui's careful thinking, but he didn't point it out. He just said: "Okay! Let's think about it now! Du Rui, you have made a contribution to the plan, but this time I have to reward you. I just granted you an official position. You don’t want it, so tell me, what do you want!?”

Du Rui heard the words and bowed: "Since the Holy Majesty has said this, the Caomin boldly said that the Caomin don't want anything else, but please issue an order from the Holy Majesty that the Flying Tiger Army can join the army in this Northern Expedition!"