According to Li Xiang's original idea, he should either launch an attack on Fusang or Nanzhao. Gaochang should be stabilized slowly and then infiltrated bit by bit in the future. But now Li Shimin is looking for trouble, and Li Xiang can only temporarily change the plan in order to save Su Dingfang.
In addition, Li Xiang also checked some documents of the Lifanyuan. The Nanzhao Kingdom in the south had no disrespect at all. It always regarded the Tang Dynasty as its big brother. It paid tribute when it was due and gave gifts when it was due. Moreover, the gifts it gave were all valuable things, unlike those countries in the Western Regions, which sent some flashy and impractical things.
So even if you want to take action against someone, you must have a reasonable reason. If your reason is inappropriate, you may not be convinced by the people in the future. This is also the reason why Li Xiang changed the battle plan.
Such a scene has not been played out in the Qinzheng Hall for a long time. Li Xiang stood alone in the middle to introduce his plan, and the people around him either listened while stroking their beards, or began to look through some materials. This scene often appeared during the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, and now Li Xiang reviewed it again for everyone.
The people present also realized that their vision had long been outdated. In their eyes, Li Shimin was just a strategist, and they were only responsible for executing Li Shimin's orders. However, Li Shimin did not have a good plan for the Western Regions, so at this moment they could only rely on Li Xiang's plan.
Li Xiang's plan was very simple, which was to slowly erode Gaochang.
This place is different from the Turkic steppe. After we occupy the Turkic steppe, we can immediately transform this area, but Gaochang is our base for advancement, and we cannot do anything too extreme here. If the entire tribe is wiped out, when we send troops to the Western Regions in the future, the local people will cut off our supply lines, and we will have no place to cry.
Many officials from the Ministry of War also brought some information. They had been collecting information about Gaochang's army for a long time. Combined with the information sent back by Su Dingfang and Lord Zhao, the two sides were able to make a comprehensive assessment of Gaochang's military situation immediately after combining them.
Although Gaochang now has 80,000 combat-ready soldiers, most of the troops do not have much combat effectiveness and are basically just making up the numbers. They may be very powerful on horseback, but facing our well-trained Tang army, they are no match for us.
After some discussion, Li Shimin agreed in principle to Li Xiang's plan. The rest of the plan involved some minor matters, which Li Shimin handed over to Li Xiang. Although the other princes were dissatisfied, they didn't dare to speak out. After all, they didn't dare to speak out about such a major military and national issue. Just look at Wu Wang Li Ke, who was forced by the old man to become the commander-in-chief. What was the final result? Now he is just an idle prince with no work at all.
"Su Dingfang is not up to the task. If he is to be in charge of this plan, I will not allow it."
Just when most of the plan was about to be finalized, Li Shimin said this, which made Li Xiang frown. Is he thinking of picking peaches again? The whole plan was formulated by us, and we also got a lot of information provided by Su Dingfang. If you want to take Su Dingfang down at this time, it would be a bit too unfair.
"Your Majesty, although Su Dingfang did something wrong, if we replace him right before the battle, the new general may not understand Gaochang's situation, and the losses will be even greater. So, I dare to let him lead the troops in his original position and make meritorious contributions."
No one expected that Fang Xuanling would actually stand up and speak. While speaking, Fang Xuanling kept winking at Li Shimin. Li Shimin also understood what was going on. Fang Xuanling was not helping Li Xiang, but was just discussing the matter at hand.
Although Gaochang is not in chaos now, it is not easy for a new general to sort out all the things after he arrives. If there is any mistake in the middle, the court's investment in the Western Regions may become zero.
For the sake of the entire court, Fang Xuanling had to interrupt Li Shimin's idea. If you want to cut off the flesh of Li Xiang, that's fine. It's your own business as grandfather and grandson, but you can't do it with military and national affairs, especially the Western Regions plan that has just been established. What's more, Su Dingfang is not an incompetent person.
"The Prime Minister is absolutely right. I have also worked with Su Dingfang before. He is quite good, but a bit reckless in some aspects. How about Your Majesty write a personal letter and teach him a lesson? Lord Zhao is still there, and he can also help Su Dingfang with some strategies."
Yuchi Jingde had been an envoy to the Western Regions, so he had a say in the situation there. Now the two of them were singing the same tune, which made Li Shimin at a loss as to what to say. However, Li Shimin had learned from his previous lessons and would never let Li Xiang dominate the world alone.
"What you two said makes sense. Let Su Dingfang continue with this matter, but..."
When they heard the above, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Li Shimin didn't place people there rashly, Gaochang would definitely be ours in a year or two. If they acted quickly, there would probably be results in half a year. But when everyone heard the word "nothing more than that", their nerves that had just relaxed became tense again. Is there something fishy going on?
"However, this is also a rare opportunity for training. Many of the Tang Dynasty's royal family members have reached adulthood, and they should also go to the front lines. Of course, they must remain anonymous. If something goes wrong again, I can't afford to lose face."
After Li Shimin said this, everyone present didn't know how to shirk responsibility. If you can even stop such a thing, then what power does the emperor have? What's more, these princes have gone there incognito, and their impact on the overall situation is also very small. They just followed the past and picked up some credit.
"Your Majesty is right. I want to accomplish great things for you..."
After returning from Tuyuhun, King Li Zhi of Jin has been working diligently on his own affairs. Now he finally found an opportunity, and this guy immediately stood up. Don't give it to others. There are many people who are interested in this job now. Even if you live a life of debauchery every day, you will still get the credit in the end. Li Xiang's plan will never fail.