When he saw Li You, Li Xiang felt that it was fortunate that this guy did not take on important responsibilities. If he were given some more important tasks, this guy would have betrayed the Tang Dynasty.
What surprised Li Xiang was that Xiao Shougui, who also came from a noble family, had a very good ability to endure. He looked like a weak scholar, but his eating and drinking habits were almost the same as those of a soldier, and he had no health problems.
"I've asked someone to check on my uncle's health. He's not suitable for a quick march anytime soon. It's better to keep him here for the time being and wait until he's better before going."
Xiao Shougui was quite concerned about Li You. He was responsible for consulting doctors and getting medicine for Li You during this period. However, the local doctors were not very skilled and the medicine they prescribed did not help the patient. He could only wait for the imperial physician from Chang'an City.
According to Li Xiang's idea, this guy should be sent back to the capital directly and let him continue to live a good life in the capital. He does not belong to the front line at all. But thinking of Li Shimin's idea, Li Xiang still swallowed his words. If Li You was sent back to Chang'an, then Li Tai might be replaced, which would be even more difficult.
"You and he should write a memorial together, and then send someone to deliver it to Chang'an as soon as possible. Leave him here for now, and you and I will go together."
Li Xiang thought for a while and said that he and Xiao Shougui had known each other for quite some time. Li Xiang felt that Xiao Shougui was still very useful, and it just so happened that he might be of use during this trip to the Western Regions. As for Li You, he himself was not willing to go to the west, so he was very happy to let him recuperate here.
It was exactly as Li Xiang thought. Xiao Shougui went to communicate with Li You first. After all, Li You was unwilling to meet Li Xiang. When the two met, Li You pretended to be asleep and Li Xiang was too lazy to go to him again. Li Xiang, who was both his uncle and a prince, had to bow when he entered.
"The prince has agreed to stay here to recuperate for the time being, but he has expressed his desire to go to the northwest, and all of this is in the memorial."
Xiao Shougui took out Li You's memorial. When Li Xiang saw the words on it, he wanted to vomit out the leftover food from last night. If you really want to go to the northwest, you can go there despite your illness. It's not really that serious.
"Let's pack up and set off tomorrow morning. We'll leave fifty guards for this guy, and with his own men, there shouldn't be any problems."
Li Xiang was too lazy to meet with Li You. After making arrangements, he went back to his tent and chatted with his wife. Wouldn't that be a better thing to do? Why waste time with this guy Li You?
This time, the people in the military camp also discovered that when Li Xiang went out to march, he spent most of his time riding around on horseback to see what was happening around him, but this time he stayed in the tent most of the time. Maybe it was because he was newly married, and Li Xiang felt a little inseparable from his young wife.
Every time Cheng Luan saw Li Xiang, he felt a little anxious, mainly because Li Xiang was too troublesome. It was okay when they were marching on the road, but once they arrived at the camp, it was time for Cheng Luan to take revenge.
Cheng Luan also wanted someone to share the burden, but when he left Chang'an City, he didn't bring anyone with him except his own guards.
These female guards are good at doing rough work, but their appearance is really not good-looking, so even if they want to take concubines for Li Xiang, I guess Li Xiang would not be willing to accept them.
Fortunately, they broke camp and moved forward the next morning, and Li Xiang did not work too hard that night. After all, he still had to consider the future route.
Li Xiang led three thousand elite soldiers marching in front, and Cheng Luan led his forty guards following behind. Originally, Cheng Luan could ride a horse on both sides of Li Xiang, but because of what happened last night, he had to take a carriage today.
As for King Li You of Qi, he didn't even leave the house. When he learned that Li Xiang was on the road, he was instantly overjoyed and asked his men to go out and prepare wine and food. He didn't look sick at all.
Originally, Xiao Shougui was beside him, and he wanted to demonstrate it. But now that the annoying Xiao Shougui was gone, he was so happy in his heart. There were still people in charge of Chang'an City, but now there was no one in charge of such a small place. As a prince of the imperial court, he was the highest-ranking official in the place and could do whatever he wanted.
Li Xiang's men naturally reported Li You's situation to him, but Li Xiang didn't care about this guy. As long as he didn't kill or burn anything, he was fine with playing around locally, so he wouldn't cause trouble for himself at the front line.
If Li Shimin knew about Li You's situation, he would probably be so angry that he would vomit blood. Originally, he asked you to go to the front line to watch over Li Xiang, which was also an opportunity for your personal development. Who knew that you were so useless that you ended up leaving halfway through this opportunity? You are really a hopeless person.
After getting rid of these troubles, Li Xiang also began a forced march. Although these 3,000 people were not Li Xiang's subordinates, some of them had followed Li Xiang to fight in Tuyuhun before, so they were very clear about Li Xiang's character. They also traveled lightly and marched towards the northwest with all their strength.
Through some merchants on the road, we learned that Gaochang has not yet allowed the Western Regions coalition forces to enter. It seems that the top leaders of Gaochang Kingdom understand that no matter whether it is the Tang Dynasty army or the Western Regions coalition forces, if they are allowed to come in, it will always cause trouble on their territory.
When Su Dingfang was still more than 300 miles away from Gaochang, his memorial was intercepted by Li Xiang.
The person who delivered the letter was Su Dingfang's personal soldier, who had also met Li Xiang before.
"Your Highness, I set out seven days ago, and there have already been sporadic exchanges of fire. Our troops have reached the western border of Gaochang. The Western Regions coalition forces have directly declared themselves our enemies."
Li Xiang didn't even look at the memorial, and of course he asked the living person in front of him.
According to Li Xiang's original idea, the Western Region coalition forces should only be a threat. As long as they saw the promise that the Tang Dynasty would not advance, they might go back. However, from the mouth of the man in front of him, Li Xiang felt that it should not be that simple.
"You mean to say they've broken with us?"
Xiao Shougui said with some surprise. According to his idea, the countries in the Western Regions still respected Li Shimin as the Heavenly Khan on the surface. How could they break up so easily?
"Sir, you'd better face reality. The countries in the Western Regions have never truly submitted to the Tang Dynasty..."
After hearing the soldier's words, Xiao Shougui's face felt a little hot. It seemed that he was still living in a fantasy.