Chapter 84: Shock in the Eastern Capital
Li Ji smiled and said, "Choose the best from the worst, and the best from the best. When I have recruited enough new team members, I will let these 2,000 people return to the base camp."
Seeing that Li Ji was determined to do it, Zhai Rang could only smile and say:
"Well, sir, as long as you like them, you can choose whatever you like."
Seeing that borrowing troops was successful, Li Ji thought of another important issue.
"You two are here, so how are your discussions going regarding the plan to capture the Eastern Capital?"
When Li Ai heard this, she replied nervously:
"I have discussed this with Lord Zhai, but Lord Zhai has too many concerns and has been unable to implement it."
Li Ji's face immediately changed, and he raised his voice and said:
"Emperor Yang of Sui ordered King Yang Tong of Yue to stay in the Eastern Capital. King Yang is young, and the Eastern Capital is now empty and the army is not trained. This is a good time to attack."
Zhai Rang said with a smile: "Lord Li, the defense capability of the Eastern Capital will not be weakened just because the King of Yue is young."
Li Ji said sternly:
"The officials of the Great Sui Dynasty who stayed behind each have their own orders and different political views. Duan Da and Yuan Wen are both ignorant and have no strategy. They are no match for you, General."
He looked murderous: "If the general can use my strategy, the world can be conquered by a single army."
Zhai Rang thought, since Li Ji's analysis made sense, he might as well send someone to investigate first.
"Master Li, how about this? I will send Pei Shufang to spy on the Dongdu first. We'll talk about it after he comes back."
Li Ji's tone softened slightly:
"While sending people to investigate the Eastern Capital, we must also make early preparations. We must step up our preparations for war. Time is running out and we must seize the opportunity."
Zhai Rang said: "Okay, I will discuss it with General Li Ai and implement your suggestion as soon as possible."
Li Ji thought, you, Zhai Rang, have the final say in Wagangzhai, I am just making a suggestion.
Zhai Rang is timid and has few strategies, so if we want him to prepare early, we have to use both soft and hard tactics.
"Well, as soon as the scouts come back, you should quickly prepare for the attack. You and Li Ai will decide on the military arrangements."
Zhai Rang bowed hurriedly and said, "Please rest assured, sir. The Wagang Army is a team that can win battles. We will never let you down."
Let me explain this on two sides.
When Yang Tong, the King of Yue in Dongdu, heard that the Wagang Army was going to attack Dongdu, he was so frightened that his legs went weak.
Two palace maids held him up so that he did not fall to the ground.
He immediately summoned all the ministers who stayed in the Eastern Capital to discuss defense strategies.
At this time, Guanglu Doctor Duan Da laughed loudly and said:
"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. That little Zhai Rang is indecisive and hesitant. I wonder if he has the courage to approach the Eastern Capital."
Yuan Wendu, the governor of Dongdu, immediately stood up and shouted in a hoarse voice:
"Zhai Rang is indeed not a concern, but the Wagang Army is unstoppable. Wherever the army goes, counties and prefectures surrender one after another. It is like a flying dragon in the sky, unstoppable."
Liu Changgong, the Tiger Guard General, was still frightened and said tremblingly:
"Your Majesty, the Wagang Army is full of hidden talents, except for the four great generals Pei Renji, Qin Qiong, Luo Shixin, and Cheng Yaojin."
He paused and swallowed slowly.
"There are two mysterious figures in the Wagang Army, one is called Li Ji and the other is called Li Ai."
Linghu Da exaggerates and shouts:
"Everyone knows that Li Mi, the Eastern Capital guard, was the mastermind behind Yang Xuangan's coup, but this guy has disappeared without a trace."
"Tell me, which of these two mysterious figures is Li Mi?"
Duan Da laughed loudly: "General Ling, are you scared by Li Ji's beating? You actually suspect that they are Li Mi? Isn't this a joke?"
Liu Changgong said loudly: "This cannot be completely denied. Now I heard that there are gods in East Korea who can perform the 'art of alien form' and change their appearance. It is not impossible."
Yuan Wendu laughed so hard that he bent over and couldn't stand up for a long time.
King Yang Tong of Yue could not help but laugh while lying on the throne.
The ministers were talking about it.
"Is this possible? Li Mi can perform the art of alien transformation and hide in the Wagang Army."
"Who is Li Mi then? Is it the young Li Ji, or Li Ai?"
"Li Ji is only sixteen years old. Isn't that not very suitable?"
"Li Ai is in her thirties, about the same age as Li Mi, but the difference in their figures and looks is too great."
Linghu Da continued:
"That's right. It's really hard to tell what's real here. I'm in the Mountain God Temple, and I can't recognize it. Could it be that the eunuch and Mr. Xu are short-sighted?"
Seeing the ministers arguing endlessly, King Yang Tong of Yue hurriedly said:
"No matter who Li Mi is, let's not consider it for now. The most important thing right now is to quickly strengthen the defense of the Eastern Capital."
All the ministers bowed their heads and agreed.
After the court was dismissed, the King of Yue sent someone on a fast horse to report the crisis in the Eastern Capital to the Emperor in Jiangdu.
When Pei Shufang saw that Dongdu had already taken action and the news of the Wagang Army's advance on Dongdu had been reported to Jiangdu , he thought that the time was not yet ripe to capture Dongdu.
He did not dismount, but rode non-stop, returning to the Wagang camp in Xingyang overnight.
At this time, it was already late at night.
When Zhai Rang heard Pei Shufang's secret report, he was so frightened that his face turned pale.
"Li, General Li, go and report to Lord Li. The defense of Dongdu is very strict and we cannot attack."
Li Ai saw that Zhai Rang was like a puddle of mud, a hopeless person who could not be helped.
He quickly came to the gate of Xun Mansion, with a gloomy face, shivering in the cold wind, waiting for Li Ji to get up.
It was not until dawn in the east that Li Ji came out of Xun Mansion.
When he saw Li Ai was at a loss, he slapped her in the face.
"What a good-for-nothing, glutton."
Li Ji came to the county government office with a gloomy face.
Yu Cheng, accompanied by a group of personal guards, stood on both sides of the lobby, holding shining steel knives.
"Xuan, housekeeper Li Ai!"
Yu Cheng shouted loudly: "Housekeeper Li Ai, come in."
Li Ai walked quickly into the lobby and knelt down with a thud.
"Butler, what are you thinking? How can you be constrained by others everywhere?"
"I am incompetent!"
The slap marks on Li Ai's face were clearly visible, and beads of sweat were dripping .
Suddenly, he heard Li Ji's stern voice in the hall:
"It is imperative to attack the Eastern Capital. The first step is to capture the Luokou granary, open it and release grain to provide relief to the people and win their hearts."
"Yes, sir."
Li Ji then shouted sternly:
"The Art of War says: 'First you must control yourself, then you must control others.'"
"There is a lot of rice stored in Luokou Granary. If you can lead the army in person, march lightly, attack quickly, open the granary to help the poor, who will not come to us from far and near?"
"You will pass my instructions to that lawyer."
Li Ai asked, "What if he still hesitates?"
Li Ji slammed the gavel, and the sound was like a knife stabbing at Li Ai.
"If he refuses to comply, you will take over. Act now!"
After Li Ji finished speaking, he threw his token to the ground with a "pop".
Li Ai bowed his head in thanks, picked up the token, and walked out of the hall.
He rode non-stop, leading his personal guards, all the way to the Xingyang camp.
