Chapter 473 The Battle of Haoshi

The next day, February 15th coincided with the period of the Great Dynasty. In the early morning, Wude Hall will have a meeting.

After Qi Xunlue, a hundred officials of civil and martial arts, waited for the long live, and was divided into left and right. Li Shimin's dragon robe was sitting on the dragon chair and said loudly, "Today, I will hold a meeting to discuss national affairs. I have something important to discuss with you."

When everyone heard this, their hearts suddenly tightened, and they thought about it secretly. Most of them were related to the Tubo war. Not long ago, there was a disturbance in the western border of the Chaling, and the world was shocked. Is there anything bigger than this in front of us?

"Between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo, they have been fighting for years. Since the Wude Dynasty, there has been no stop. Although I have the intention to let the two countries always form an alliance, Tubo refused me to marry and kill my envoys, and swung the army to disturb the border, and even killed my meritorious officials of the territory. Nowadays, it is also disturbing our state and county to kill people by killing and burning the city, which is very harmful. I hate this hatred, and I don't know what to do. Li Shimin said in a loud voice, and the power was revealed in his voice, and said, "Now, Qin Mubai, the commander-in-chief of the march of Kansai Province, led the army to successively victories, broke through Tubo in Huanyue Valley, Dafeichuan and Yumen Pass, and annihilated more than 100,000 people from the enemy, which greatly damaged Tubo's vitality. I think that we must take advantage of the victory and pursue it at this time, just like suppressing the Turkic Khanate in those years, with the momentum of heavy troops, and the last blow of Tubo.

Speaking of this, Li Shimin paused and said, "I have been fighting in the world for half my life, and I know the truth that 'those who know soldiers are not easy to fight'. War is ultimately a weapon that hurts the enemy and itself, and it cannot be used as a last resort. Today, most of my important ministers and relatives of the emperor are present. I just want to ask you. Is it feasible to fight the world I want to launch?

As soon as Li Shimin's voice fell, the court was quiet. All the officials heard that the emperor had a pre-emptive violation today. In the past, whenever major events were decided, it was usually the meeting of the officials, and then the emperor finally decided. Today, it was the opposite. The emperor first shook out his burden to show his feelings and let the ministers talk about it.

Li Shimin did this matter a little "unkind". After all, no minister dares to easily veto the emperor's opinion, which is too a test of courage and courage. But at the same time, this also means that the emperor seems to be "resent to win" today. In his heart, he has probably made up his mind to fight this battle. The so-called public discussion is just to escape from a stubborn scolding.

So for a while, no one came out to express their opinions.

"Why, with such a major national policy, all the officials have nothing to say? Are you going to force me to serve me like last time?" Li Shimin said.

As soon as the words fell, someone really stood up, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

When everyone saw it, it turned out to be Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu is an erudite and talented Confucian. The descendants of the former Sui nobles have noble blood and are valued by Gao Zu. Although Li Shimin did not abandon him after ascending the throne, his important position has long been replaced by Li Shimin's direct line Fang Xuanling. The biggest characteristic of this person is that he is straightforward and "does not know the current affairs". He and Fang Xuanling and others are at discord and often say frankly that he offends the dragon's face, but he never compromises and only knows how to do it against each other, so his career has floated several times. Now he has just been demoted to a foreign official. In the court, people call him "Xiao Lao Niu", that is to say, he is stubborn.

"What's your opinion about Xiao Tejin?" Li Shimin said. Special progress is Xiao Yu's official name. The literary and scattered officials do not have a real position, but the official character is a false title of honor, which is generally extremely noble and highly respected.

"The old minister said that since your majesty knows the truth that 'those who know soldiers are not easy to fight', he must remember that although the country is big, if it is warlike, it will die." Xiao Yu said, "In recent years, my Tang Dynasty has been fighting endlessly, and the white bone pillow road in Xinjiang has seen the bottom of domestic consumption; the blood of the soldiers has been stained with the robe, and the people have suffered unspeakably. The old minister dared to ask your majesty, is my Tang Dynasty still fulfilling the king's way of benevolence to help the world and govern the people, or have you embarked on the road of hegemony?

"The Tang Dynasty ruled the country with benevolence and filial piety, and naturally it is the practice of the king's way." Li Shimin replied faintly.

Xiao Yu was about to argue again when Fang Xuanling next to him stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

"Tell me."

Fang Xuanling bowed his hand, turned to look at Xiao Yu, and said, "What Xiao Tejin said just now is taken out of context. Sima Fa says that although the country is wary, it will die; although the world is peaceful, it will be in danger if it forgets war. In the more than ten years since His Majesty's accession to the throne, the Tang Dynasty has never taken the initiative to provoke a war. Fang Xuanling asked Xiao Tejin, what should I do in the face of enemy bandits?

"This..." Xiao Yu was stunned and said, "Whether the king is or domineering, he will fight back."

"Is it a royal move or a domineering move to fight back?" Fang Xuanling asked again.

Xiao Yu was stunned and stared at Fang Xuanling angrily, "Fancellor Fang, why don't you set a trap for me?"

Fang Xuanling smiled, and Man Chao Wenwu smiled for a while.

Li Shimin also laughed and waved his hand and said, "Xiao Tejin, I know that you are loyal to the country. But at this moment, please don't say any more useless truths. What I want to discuss today is the rationality and feasibility of using troops in Tibet. The officials only discussed whether this battle can be won, whether it is necessary to fight, and whether it is cost-effective?

Fang Xuanling arched his hand, "Your Majesty just said that there is a core word in the words, that is, the word 'computable'."

"Yes, not only me, but also the people of the whole world will think about this problem." Li Shimin said, "As we all know, Tubo is located in the frozen plateau, and the poor and desolate people's livelihood is withered. Not only is it not easy to use troops, but the people of the Central Plains are also not adapted to the living environment there. This is the important difference between Tubo and the Turks in those years. Can our army fight on the plateau? If you fight, can you win? This is the first big issue to be decided.

"Your Majesty, I think that this big question should be asked to the generals on the front line, not the ministers in the court to discuss it." Fang Xuanling said, "Because among the people present, no one has been to the Tubo Plateau, no one knows the real situation there, and no one knows the situation on the front line. We are here to discuss what kind of result it is to take for granted. Weichen secretly thought that what we did was actually irresponsible for the war and unfair to the front-line soldiers.

"It's reasonable..." Li Shimin nodded with deep approval, "What do you think?"

Xiao Yu had not retreated yet. At this time, he hurriedly said, "What Your Majesty just said is to discuss whether it is necessary to launch this war. Now, why has it changed to the key to the victory or defeat of the war? So, is your majesty teasing the ministers? Since your majesty has decided to fight a war, why do you need to discuss it?

When everyone heard this, Xiao Yu was complaining about the emperor. In his heart, he secretly scolded him for not knowing the current affairs, and they also sweated coldly for him.

Li Shimin was quite patient and not angry today. He said, "Of course, I'm not teasing you. The necessity of this war depends largely on the future victory or defeat. If you know you will lose, who will go to war? Xiao Tejin, do you think I can do such a stupid thing?

The ministers laughed again, and Xiao Yu's face became more and more ugly. He had to arch his hand and say, "I'm out of words" and retreated obediently.

Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, the current situation is like this, and war is inevitable. It's not that I, the belligerent and meritorious soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, but that Tubo is too forceful. Not long ago, more than ten counties in Western Xinjiang were deeply poisoned by it, and the displacement of the people suffered unspeakably. This suffering is even more so than the bitterness of the battle. - Weichen secretly thought that the competition between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo originated from the human nature of the Chinese atomic people who live in peace, and the human nature of the nomads who make a living by looting. This difference and contradiction cannot be reconciled at all. Therefore, national policies such as good alliances can only seek peace for a while. Therefore, between the Central Plains and the Hu ethnic group, it is either a bloody battle between you and me, or a cycle of peace war, war and pro-cord. Weichen has thought many times, can the peace and rise and fall of an empire only be built on women? What are the men of this empire for?

As soon as this word came out, the whole dynasty booed and shocked.

Because there were all the men of the Tang Empire.

Fang Xuanling was unmoved. He looked at his nose and nose and heart. He shouted, "Weichen thought that the period of the war between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo had arrived. Kansai soldiers threw their heads and sprinkled blood, and the enemy's army was sharp, which was the blessing site given to me by the Tang Dynasty by heaven! At this time, if you don't take advantage of the opportunity to chase the future, there will be a day of regret! Your Majesty, for you and us, should plan for a hundred years, not just focus on the present. It is true that this battle will be very hard, consume countless money and food, and let many soldiers bury their bones in the snowfield. However, in order to seek the blessings of our children and grandchildren in the long run, we should calm down the Tubo and end the future!"

Fang Xuanling's literary and liberals are not young, but when he says this, he is as sincere as Wufu's word, impassioned and passionate!

Li Shimin's heart was full of blood, and he almost jumped off Jinluan Zhanla's house Xuanling and shouted "My confidant, the pillar of the country".

But at this moment, he kept calm and said, "I listen to what Fang Aiqing said, the key lies in the word 'long-term'. In fact, I want to say that Fang Aiqing has always been strongly opposed to the war. Because he has always been in charge of the money and grain income and expenditure of the whole country. He is the housekeeper of the Tang Dynasty. No one knows the family background of the Tang Dynasty better than him, and no one knows the losses caused by a war better than him. Now, even Fang Xuanling is fighting like this. Does it really mean that this battle is what people want? Don't just listen and express your opinions.

In fact, when it comes to this, 90% of people already know that this battle must be fought.

At this time, Changsun Wuji stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I added that this battle must be fought. But how to fight and who is sent to fight is the key that is more important than anything else.

Everyone, including Li Shimin, is awakened - today's core topic is pointed out by the core characters!

Yes, the key to this battle not only determines the rise and fall of the two dynasties, but also determines the future trend of the Tang Dynasty. At the same time, it will also determine the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty and the future courtiers.

At this time, Changsun Wuji will no longer sit back and watch Leng Mingzhe protect himself. He must take the initiative. Otherwise, what is waiting for him may be the decline of the river.

"Good question." Li Shimin nodded and praised, saying, "In fact, what we want to discuss today is this military event. Who should I be in charge of such a war as Tubo? Just like in those years, I sent Li Jing. But now Li Jing is old and sick. Who should I send?"

As soon as the emperor's words fell, Fang Xuanling said, "Weichen thought that the general must be used to conquer Tubo. There are many generals in my court. However, there are not many generals and troops who are really familiar with Tibet and adapt to the original. Qin Mubai, the commander of the Kansai Army, inherited his father's legacy and defeated Tubo many times in Kansai for a long time. He is really a good candidate.

When he said this, the fool objected. Because I really can't find someone who is more suitable for Tubo than Qin Mubai. Li Xun's reputation is also high, but he is now busy dealing with Xue Yantuo on the grassland!

"Weichen once again agreed with the wife, Qin Mubai is the one who is in charge of the expedition against Tubo." Changsun Wuji arched his hand and suddenly changed his words and said, "However, Qin Mubai is still a little younger after all, to shoulder the heavy responsibility of such a world war. Weichen suggested that your majesty should choose the auxiliary wing of the experienced veteran general. At the same time, the court must send an important minister to serve as the marching commander!"

Hearing the word "History of the Marching Army", everyone's hearts were divided - didn't that let the imperial court send a supervisor to watch over Qin Mubai? The meaning of his words is to tell Qin Mubai that he is not disobedient and has to send someone to guide him. According to the emperor, he will fight this battle according to the court, or... Qin Mubai is ambitious and should beware?!

In those years, Li Jing destroyed the Turks, but he did not send such a person! They are all famous ministers and generals. They honestly listen to Li Jing's unified command. Li Jing has to give full power to order on behalf of the emperor, including princes like Li Daozong, who dare not say anything!

"The history of the marching army sent by the imperial court?" Li Shimin slowly repeated a sentence, gently frowned and said, "Situ, who do you think, who should I send?"

Everyone was slightly shocked again. The emperor said something cleverly, and he directly asked "who is better to send", instead of asking the question "Is it necessary" - the meaning of the emperor actually agreed!

It seems that only the eldest grandson Wuji can best feel the emperor's heart!

"Weichen thinks that this war is related to the lifeline of the country and the rise and fall of the clan. If it is not for the emperor, he must send the prince to suppress the army to order the world to inspire the three armies!" Changsun Wuji bowed his hands deeply and said loudly, "Li Tai, the king of Wei, has always valued people's aspirations. He has learned to be humble and decently, and is worthy of being strong and able to bear the suffering of the military. He is the most suitable person!"

These words were like a heavy pound bomb, which made everyone's hearts jump on the spot!