Gao Junming left the Li Mansion. Because he was going to go on the expedition the next day, that night, Xiao Ziang stayed in the Shangshu Mansion of the Military Department. Although it is not the first time to live here, I am still treated by the Li Mansion. The maids and servants were more attentive than in his own home. The meals are all Ziang's favorite food, and they are delicious; The bedding has been replaced with brand new. Even so, Li Zhenghang and his wife still confessed and should not be lazy.

Gao Ziang's accompanying supplies Gao Fu had already been prepared, and Gao Junming sent someone to send them over. However, Mrs. Li was still not at ease, and counted it over and over again, for fear that something would be missed.

Wan Ning's room was at the end of the cloister, only a few rooms away from Gao Ziang's, connected by a wide wooden bridge, under which the turquoise water of the Li Mansion flowed quietly, and the lake was dotted with lotus flowers.

As soon as it was dark, Wan Ning tiptoed to Gao Ziang's room, took out a talisman and stuffed it to Xiao Ziang: "Brother Ziang, this is the peace charm that I went to the temple with my mother to beg, you are going to go on the expedition tomorrow, may this talisman bless you with peace!" After speaking, he turned around and walked away with a red face and shyness, and after walking a few steps, he turned his head and said to Gao Ziang: "Brother Ziang, don't tell the adults!" After that, he bounced back to his room.

When Gao Ziang saw the peace charm, he was overjoyed in his heart and held it tightly in his palm. The peace charm is placed in a delicately embroidered lucky bag, all of which show the thoughts of the little daughter's family. Gao Ziang, who was about to go on the expedition, was nervous, and at a young age, it was not only the first time to go out, but also the first time to go far away. As soon as I saw the peace charm, my heart was much happier and more steady. You can get a good night's sleep.

The next day, the 20,000-strong army with Li Shimin as the marshal and Li Zhenghang as the deputy general set off for Western Qin. Along the way, Li Zhenghang rode the same horse with Gao Ziang, protecting Gao Ziang like his own son.

After more than ten days of tossing, the army led by Li Shimin finally arrived near Gaoqi City, confronted the Western Qin army and began a short-term confrontation with the Western Qin army. Xue Rengao's general, Zong Luohu, took the initiative to challenge the Tang army many times, standing at the gate of the city and threatening to fight Li Shimin alone.

Li Shimin and his lieutenant general carefully analyzed the enemy's forces, and Xue Rengao's more than 100,000 troops were by no means capable of fighting with our 20,000 troops. The strategy of winning more with less that he once asked the hermit master for advice really came in handy this time. Despite how Xue Rengao and his subordinates provoked under the city, Li Shimin still gave a strict order: "Hold on!" If you dare to ask for battle, behead immediately! ”

After more than two months of stalemate, the officers and men of the Tang Army gradually lost patience and were very dissatisfied with Li Shimin's practice of avoiding the battle, and even sent a letter to Li Yuan, asking for the removal of the marshal of the expedition. There were provocations and insults from the enemy army outside, and the morale of the officers and men of our unit was weakened inside, and for a while, Li Shimin was under tremendous pressure from public opinion. The most important thing is that Li Shimin himself is also worried that the soldiers of the Tang Army will gradually lose their enthusiasm for fighting, and time will wear down the will of the soldiers.

Li Yuan knew very well that it was a taboo for soldiers to change the marshal of the army in battle, but fortunately, between his hesitation, the good news came out before the army received the order to remove the marshal.

Xue Rengao's army ran out of food, coupled with Xue Rengao's caustic character, which led to the disunity of the people within the Western Qin regime and the instability of the army. Many of Xue Rengao's high-ranking generals rebelled and attached themselves to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin learned that the generals and soldiers under Xue Rengao had the intention of divorce, and the so-called "those who destroy the Six Kingdoms are also the Six Kingdoms", so he ordered his deputy general Li Zhenghang to lead the army to camp in the shallow water plain, so as to lure the Western Qin army to fight many times. Zong Luohu was very happy to see that there was a battle to fight, and immediately gave the order to attack, and the attack was very fierce; The logistics in the camp were not perfect, there was no water source, and the men and horses had no water to drink for several days.

When people were sleepy and tired, Li Shimin felt that the time had come and decided to send out the army in the early morning of the next day.

After Li Shimin decided to send troops, the victory of the Tang army was overwhelming. The opportunity cannot be lost, and Li Shimin took advantage of the victory to pursue. Because, if he doesn't chase closely, Xue Rengao is very likely to gather the remnants of the army and not give the other party a chance to breathe, which is the magic weapon to win at this time.

Finally, when it was almost dark, the Tang army arrived one after another and surrounded the city. Xue Rengao was in fear, had nothing to do, abandoned the city and surrendered. His subordinates also surrendered one after another, and after the rout, nearly 100,000 Western Qin troops fled to various places, and the Tang army captured more than 10,000 elite soldiers and 50,000 men and women of Xue Rengao.

The battle of Shallow Water Plains was a complete victory, Li Shimin left the soldiers who defended the city, and the rest of the personnel all won the division.

The little Gao Ziang saw Li Shimin's world-famous wisdom and outstanding military talent this time, and he still held the line of defense in his heart under the pressure of public opinion. Perhaps this is the time when "if you want to defeat the enemy, you must first defeat yourself." ”

This victory enabled the Tang Dynasty to pacify Longxi and eliminate the worries of the West. After returning to Chang'an, Li Yuan was very happy, feasted the ministers, and praised Li Shimin. From the commander to the ordinary soldiers, all of them were rewarded. Li Shimin was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and envoy, and also led the Shangshu Order of the Eastern Shaanxi Province, the General of Zuo Wuhou, and the Governor of Liangzhou. On the basis of his original official position, Li Zhenghang was promoted to the left servant of Shangshu.

The rest of the generals were promoted, and the ordinary soldiers were also promoted, and those who were not promoted were rewarded with slaves, colored silks, and gold.

Shangshu's left servant shot and Shangshu's right servant shot have always been Li Shimin's henchmen. After Pei Wenjing's death, Shangshu's right servant shot vacancy, and now it seems that Li Shimin will value Shangshu's left servant, which is a matter of time and time for everyone to see. It was originally a happy event to be promoted to an official position, but at this time, Li Zhenghang was put in an embarrassing situation.

Although Li Yuan said at the reception that the generals had achieved his imperial career, Li Shimin's praise made Li Jiancheng uneasy. Li Yuanji has always held a grudge against his second brother because of his dismissal in Taiyuan. "Big brother, now Li Shimin's prestige in the court is on par with you, big brother, you are a dignified prince!"

These words hit the heart of Li Jiancheng. "Li Shimin is indeed a general, but my father will not order my dignified prince to charge into battle, and I will not be able to make great military achievements. After that, you have to point to Yuanji. ”

"Big brother, don't worry, little brother can't just watch all the credit be snatched away by Li Shimin! The most important thing at the moment is that many officials in the DPRK and China have the intention of turning to Li Shimin. ”

"Humph! They are all villains who see the wind and rudder! No worries. Li Jiancheng didn't seem to care about it, how could he not worry in his heart! and Li Zhenghang, who was directly promoted to the position of Li Shimin's favorite minister.