When a wall falls, everyone pushes it; when a drum is broken, someone beats it. This is exactly what happened in Goguryeo.
Including the envoys of Goguryeo, among these people, a total of more than a dozen people betrayed Goguryeo and expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Tang Dynasty. No matter what the Tang Dynasty wanted to know, they could tell it, and these people could also provide some border secrets.
"God bless our Tang Dynasty! I never thought Goguryeo would end up like this. When I led my troops to attack them, what did that Gai Yuansuwen say? He said that our Tang Dynasty would be ruined in this life. Now I really should let him see."
In the Golden Throne Hall of the Imperial Palace, Li Shimin saw the records sent by the Imperial City Office. He was so happy in his heart. Goguryeo was like a thorn in his heart. He had started attacking Goguryeo a few years ago, but except for the initial unstoppable force, it became increasingly difficult afterwards. Especially after they entered the interior of Goguryeo, they suffered heavy losses, which were not even comparable to the achievements of Emperor Yang of Sui.
Li Shimin always regarded himself as the greatest emperor of all time, so how could he tolerate such a thing? Therefore, after each failure, Li Shimin was ready to mobilize all the troops in the country and immediately attack Goguryeo, but he did not know that doing so would bring great harm to the whole country. If it were not for the desperate persuasion of his subordinates, who knows what the situation of the Tang Dynasty would be like now.
Now one of Li Xiang's methods is to make Goguryeo so chaotic. The most important thing is that we haven't put in much effort. Except for the cavalry on the border and the spies under Zhangsun Wuji, we have not increased investment in other areas. However, the effect achieved is huge. Except for the attacks within their court, including the border guards, they have not received any wages for half a year.
Everyone knows how weak an army like this is. Soldiers are fed, and everyone knows that. If you don't give me enough food, why should I fight for you? I risk my life just to make sure my family has enough to eat. Now, I haven't seen a single penny in months. Do you expect us to pay you back?
In a memorial just submitted, Zhang Qixiong made it very clear that the soldiers and civilians at the border were already very exhausted. In addition to the fact that there was no grain grown locally, the border defenders had not received any wages for several months. This was all due to the corruption and incompetence of the imperial court, which had used all the money for internal strife, leaving the border defenders unable to support their families. Now was the time when morale was at its lowest. If the Tang army rushed over at this time, the border defenders would not resist at all.
"Your Majesty, should we investigate this matter carefully? From my observation, Zhang Qixiong doesn't seem to be someone we would easily cooperate with. Could there be some kind of deception?"
Minister of Revenue Tang Jian had some concerns.
According to his thinking, Zhang Qixiong was chosen by the King of Goryeo after all, so how could he turn against his own side in the middle of a battle? Moreover, this guy still had family in Goryeo. If the news of his rebellion got back, I'm afraid his entire family would be executed.
What Lord Hubutang said made sense. Everyone looked at Changsun Wuji at the same time. Your people were causing trouble in Goguryeo. If they hadn't worked so hard, how could Goguryeo be in such a mess?
"Assist, you said..."
It's true, after hearing what Mr. Tang from the Ministry of Revenue said, Li Shimin became a little worried and hurried to ask Zhangsun Wuji.
Although Changsun Wuji has now joined Li Xiang's camp, he is still a close-knit official of the court. Especially in this matter, Changsun Wuji must have come up with a result. The border guards are the only way for us to attack.
"Your Majesty, what Zhang Qixiong said is basically true. Although some parts are a bit exaggerated, the morale of the Goguryeo border guards is indeed low. You can ask our border commanders about this. They carried out a total of 42 assaults last month. At the beginning, there were people trying to stop them, but later they simply closed in and refused to leave. Our troops can march straight into the border area, even reaching 500 miles into Goguryeo."
When Changsun Wuji said this, everyone present was a little surprised. In their opinion, it was okay to just cross the border, but if they went deep into the border, they really didn't know how bad this army would be.
Although all signs indicate that now is a good time to attack Goguryeo, Li Shimin is still a little worried. After all, he had failed in this place and was shocked when he returned.
What's more, the current Goguryeo is not a small country. Many people think that Goguryeo is a small country. In fact, the current Goguryeo stretches for thousands of miles, from the Liaodong region of our country to the Han River Basin of the Silla Peninsula. It is basically their territory. It should be the most prosperous period.
The military generals were eager to get the emperor to give the order as soon as possible, and they would immediately march eastward to Goguryeo. However, the civil officials realized that the emperor was probably waiting for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Everyone saw through it but didn't say anything at this time. Ever since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came of age, almost everything had to wait for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the Emperor was becoming less and less confident than he was before. Originally, the Emperor could decide on such matters himself, but if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not nod, the Emperor might feel uneasy.
Of course, this is also normal. In the two recent foreign wars, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can be said to have played a decisive role, including this war against Goguryeo, in which His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been involved. If it weren't for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's dirty tricks, could Goguryeo have declined so quickly?
"Ke'er, I asked you to train the imperial guards of the capital. Have you seen any progress recently?"
Li Shimin immediately changed the subject and turned to King Wu Li Ke.
"In reply to Father, we are restoring our combat effectiveness in an orderly manner."
Hearing the answer from Prince Wu Li Ke, everyone in the court had their eyes flickering. The capital's imperial guards had never been handed over to anyone else, but now they were suddenly handed over to Prince Wu, who had the bloodline of the previous dynasty. The capital was becoming more and more powerful.
Li Xiang once commanded the Left Divine Martial Army, but only in name. After Li Xiang left for Tibet, he successfully reclaimed this authority. What was the emperor up to? Did he absolutely have to force his own descendants to fight each other? Couldn't they all work together for the Tang Dynasty?
Several ministers opened their mouths, but finally realized that many people would die if the crown prince was chosen, so they decided to shut up!