Li Shimin holds a very high status in the hearts of these generals, but Li Shimin would not go out to fight for no reason. There was a reason for every war. The first war was to unify the world. The later Turks were defeated because they provoked us. There was also a reason for the later Goguryeo. Now the war that Li Xiang is fighting also has a reason. Xueyantuo and Gaochang were implicated. But apart from these places, who else provoked us?
"I know what my father-in-law is worried about. He simply thinks the Tang Dynasty can't afford it. But now we are fighting two wars simultaneously, recruiting 200,000 to 300,000 soldiers from home and abroad. But are our casualties high? Are we spending enough money?"
When Li Xiang said this, Cheng Yaojin understood why Li Xiang was so confident. Although we used more than 200,000 soldiers to conquer Goguryeo, most of the soldiers were maintaining public order in various places. The number of soldiers actually involved in the war was not large, and the number of casualties was even smaller.
According to the information obtained by Cheng Yaojin, we have conquered Goguryeo and the two countries on the peninsula with only more than 10,000 casualties out of more than 200,000 people. This loss is not serious for the Tang Dynasty. In addition, with the money we have robbed, the military expenses can be fully compensated, and even the treasury of the Tang Dynasty can be enriched.
The most important thing is that we have so many more slaves and so much land. In the future, a large amount of food can be shipped in every year. In an agricultural country, as long as the price of food drops, other items in society will also drop, and the living standards of the people will also improve.
"What you said does make sense, but I'm still a little worried. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the frequent military campaigns against the Xiongnu led to the treasury being almost empty and nearly every household going broke. You'd better not let that happen."
Cheng Yaojin thought of the period of Emperor Wu of Han. That was the first counterattack of the entire Han nation against the nomadic peoples. It can be said that they did a very good job, but in the following wars, the Han Dynasty spent too much money and too many people died, and the overall national strength declined sharply.
"Father-in-law, you're worrying too much. As long as we can calculate the costs and control our expenses, we won't get to that point. Take our current war with Xueyantuo for example. Although the land there is very barren and won't bring us much, that's because the Xueyantuo people don't know how to manage it. If my people were to manage it, how could we possibly lose money?"
Although Li Xiang didn't explain how he ran his business, everyone present believed in his management ability. Which shop in Chang'an City, big or small, didn't have some connection with Zhidaobao? If you didn't have any connection, you probably wouldn't be able to operate in this city.
"So where is your next target?"
Cheng Yaojin was not the first one to ask this question. Niu Junda had also asked this question before. Li Xiang was now considering two targets. One target was naturally Fuso. Now that he had captured the countries on the peninsula and requisitioned their ports, it could be said that it was very easy to attack Fuso.
But after returning to Chang'an, Li Xiang had a new idea, which was Nanzhao...
These can be regarded as Li Xiang’s two strategies, which have not been finalized yet, mainly because a lot of information has not been received yet. By the time the intelligence from various places is sent back, Li Xiang’s strategic will will probably be finalized.
"I don't have a goal yet, but I can promise you that within six months at the latest, you will be ready to fight. There is no place for your skills in Chang'an City. The battlefield is your destiny."
When they heard that there was only half a year left, the two brothers were immediately happy. They were born for war, and now they were asked to live in Chang'an City. It was acceptable when they were young, but Niu Jinda and Su Dingfang kept giving them rewards, and these two people really couldn't sit still. In terms of relationship, we are much closer than you. We are Li Xiang's brothers-in-law, who are you?
Cheng Yaojin's face was also full of joy, but he did not say anything about this matter. After all, Li Xiang had already made the decision, but he still felt that he should be stable. In order not to dampen Li Xiang's enthusiasm, Cheng Yaojin pretended that he had not heard it. What's more, he could also involve his two sons in this matter.
After discussing these important matters, it was time to start the banquet. Cheng Yaojin was different from others. Others always had to find some guests to accompany them, but Cheng Yaojin didn't have that idea. The whole family was eating and drinking together. If an outsider came, the whole family would probably feel uncomfortable, so it was better to drink with family members.
Li Xiang's alcohol tolerance was quite good, but Cheng Yaojin and the other two were all big drinkers. They finished a whole jar of wine in a short while. However, for these three people, it was just to moisten their throats, so they immediately asked someone to bring them another jar.
"It's not that I don't want to drink with you guys. You all know my drinking habits. I came back from the north this time and I'm feeling a little unwell. It's probably because the weather there is too cold. So every time I drink too much, I can't sleep at night and I feel unbearable pain all over."
Li Xiang had other things to do that evening, so how could he possibly get drunk with these three people? He definitely couldn't escape by any other means, so he said he had a health problem. Sure enough, when Li Xiang said this, the three people's faces were full of worry.
They are now on Li Xiang's boat and will be on this boat from now on. Li Xiang's health is of vital importance. What's more, we are purely relatives. If Li Xiang's health is not good, then wouldn't my sister suffer if she marries him?
"Don't be the first to rush into battle in the future. I'm also the one who leads troops into battle. If I were to be the first to rush into battle, what would you need them for? Leave the charging and fighting to them."
Cheng Yaojin pointed at his two sons. Although he belittled them, the two guys were also very happy. In their eyes, Li Xiang was just a gigolo. Although his martial arts skills were good, he was still a gigolo at heart. He went to the north for a stroll, and his body couldn't bear it. What else could he be if not a gigolo? If it were us brothers who went there, there would definitely be no problem. Is the weather problem that makes us thick-skinned and tough enough a problem?
Li Xiang could only bow to his two brothers-in-law and said, "I'll rely on you from now on..."