Qinzheng Hall.
"This little bastard never gives me peace of mind. I clearly asked him to go and escort the bride, but look what a mess he's made. From what I've read in this letter, I know there's bound to be another war. You elders should keep an eye on him for me and don't always start a war. I don't know who to follow."
Although Li Shimin complained about Li Xiang, he was actually very happy in his heart. As a member of the royal family, he must always have an expansionist mentality. If he only thinks about enjoying himself every day, then the entire empire will never have peace. When you don't scheme against others, others are definitely schemed against you. When you come to your senses, it's too late. It's better for us to keep scheming against others. At least our home is safe.
The ministers below curled their lips. "Do I even need to ask?" "Of course it's up to you. From the time you started your army in Jinyang until now, you've been constantly at war. It's only in the past few years that we've had peace. It was only last year that we defeated Tuyuhun. There haven't been many peaceful years. Even during the years when the Tang Dynasty was at peace, there were constant conflicts on the border."
In the eyes of these ministers, Li Shimin was a typical person who took advantage of the situation. In the early years, when facing Li Chengqian and his brothers, Li Shimin always felt that these brothers were too indecisive and had no military ideas at all. Now that a grandson like this has come out, you complain that he is not peaceful enough. I really don't know what your descendants should do to please you.
"I have failed in my duty. Your Majesty, please punish me."
Changsun Wuji knelt down first. His men had been making plans in Tubo for many years, but not much useful information was sent back over the years. Li Xiang's news was put in front of Li Shimin, which just revealed the incompetence of his men.
"Get up, get up. Today I want you to talk about this kid's strategy. Don't rush to make self-criticisms. I also know that it is very difficult to plant spies in other countries. Moreover, we have only been free for a few years. Not guilty, not guilty."
After hearing what Li Shimin said, Changsun Wuji finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Li Shimin would hold him accountable. Other people around him also understood that there were not many merchants going to Tubo, let alone planting spies there. In their opinion, Changsun Wuji was able to accomplish this task, which meant he was much better than them. If they were to do it, they would have been dumbfounded a long time ago.
"I think this is too reckless. Furthermore, the Tang treasury is not well-off. If we rashly support these chieftains, the cost will be substantial. If they ultimately fail and this matter becomes public, the relationship between the Tang and Tubo will undoubtedly reach a freezing point. At that point, Tubo will most likely send troops to attack Tuyuhun."
The Minister of Revenue Tang Jian immediately stood up and said that he did not support anything related to the war, mainly because the Ministry of Revenue had no money. The war with Tuyuhun was another matter, because we received a large amount of war reparations, but could Tubo give you that?
Li Shimin was helpless about his answer. He had asked him to keep an eye on the purse earlier, and this guy was indeed very tight-lipped and had never embezzled a penny. He was also loyal to the court. However, every time the court took action, he wished he wouldn't spend a penny. How could there be such a thing in the world?
"I think this is a good thing. Although Tubo is far away from us, since we occupied the land of Tuyuhun, we are actually not far away from Tubo. If we ride fast, we can reach their land in a day or two. The presence of a powerful country around the Tang Dynasty is a threat to us. If we can slowly weaken it without going to war, it will last for generations for the descendants of the Tang Dynasty..."
General Li Jing possessed a strategic vision. He sought to weaken all surrounding states. The Tang Dynasty was currently on the rise, and while we might not fear a real conflict, what about decades or centuries from now? Do you think our descendants would be the same? If the Tang Dynasty weakened, these wolves would pounce.
"General, you are right, but how can we weaken it? Your strategy is correct, but what is the specific method?"
Tang Jian never speaks empty words, and every question he asks hits the point.
"General Li is right, and Lord Tang is also right. As for our strategy, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is on the way."
Seeing the two men about to get into an argument, Fang Xuanling immediately intervened to smooth things over. Of course, Fang Xuanling's response was correct: "What are you two worrying about?" Did Li Xiang send this letter back to you to ask you what you should do? He was asking for the general direction; he could decide the details himself.
After hearing this, everyone hurriedly read the letter again. As the Prime Minister had said, Li Xiang's implicit meaning was to ask Li Shimin if this matter could be done this way. As long as Li Shimin set the tone, the court did not need to worry about what happened next.
After listening to their analysis, Li Shimin felt both happy and a little disappointed. He was happy that this grandson made him worry less, as he could get the job done with just one order. He was disappointed that this child didn't need him at all, as if he hadn't passed on all his skills to him. How did this kid grow up? It was like a father who couldn't show off his abilities in front of his son.
"My dear ministers, Xuanling is right. Do you think we should support him?"
Li Shimin knew that now was not the time to think about those things. Li Xiang should be waiting anxiously on the road. We have to give him a message quickly. Maybe this guy has already made a series of plans and is waiting for a signal from Chang'an City.
"Dry."
General Li Jing was very supportive and soon a large number of generals gathered behind him. Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin were the most enthusiastic. After thinking it over again and again, people like Qin Qiong also stood behind General Li Jing.
Fang Xuanling naturally still did not express his opinion, as Lord Tang from the Ministry of Revenue had already expressed his opposition.
After thinking it over again and again, Changsun Wuji finally stood on the side of opposition. Now the situation is almost tied, and it depends on what Li Shimin decides.
Li Shimin had a lot on his mind. After defeating Tubo, the Tang Dynasty would benefit for hundreds of years. However, the Tang Dynasty had just been pacified, and the war with the Five Surnames and Seven Kingdoms had also begun...