Li Xiang carefully studied the information sent back by Su Dingfang. These materials were all from a month ago. The situation would definitely develop worse in this month, and he should receive even worse information tomorrow.
Generally speaking, when there is trouble on the border, the border guards will write a memorial every day and send it out every day. This is also to allow the court to better understand the situation on the border.
According to the Western Regions policy originally formulated by Li Xiang, they should be coerced by force. Now that the countries in the Western Regions have formed a coalition, this also reflects another thing, that is, they originally respected Li Shimin as the Heavenly Khan, which is simply a joke. As long as you don't beat them into submission, these people will only say good things.
"Your Majesty, I believe this is a good thing. In the past, we were immersed in a false image. They submitted tributes to us, but in reality, we didn't gain much benefit. Now their true colors have been revealed, proving that everything before was a lie. We can take this opportunity to advance westward from Gaochang."
Li Xiang always acted decisively. "You've already bared your fangs, so what else can I say?" If we can't be friends, we're enemies. There's absolutely no middle ground. Furthermore, the Western Regions are extremely important to the Tang Dynasty, especially the Hexi Corridor. We must take control of them.
After Li Xiang finished speaking, many people present nodded. They didn't think this way before, but after Li Xiang's campaigns ended, these people had a fixed idea in their hearts...
According to what our Crown Prince said, foreigners can only choose to obey or not. If they obey, they will accept our agreements and the entire country will be reformed. If they do not obey, it will be even more convenient. Our army will directly attack them and we will then carry out reforms ourselves.
"Your Majesty, can we adopt a compromise approach? We have just concluded the war in the north. The Xueyantuo and Turkic regions are still unstable. We need to get through this in a stable manner. If we start another war now, it may be disadvantageous to our Tang Dynasty."
Li Xiang never expected that Changsun Wuji would stand up and oppose his suggestion, but this was very normal. Although the two were already in the same trench, when it came to such national affairs, Changsun Wuji always followed his own ideas. As long as it was beneficial to the Tang Dynasty, he didn't care whose side he stood on.
Li Xiang also admired Zhangsun Wuji. Only in this way could the Tang Dynasty have different voices. If everyone from top to bottom had the final say, it would actually be extremely detrimental to the development of the Tang Dynasty.
"Lord Changsun's words make sense, but if that's the case, what will the Western Regions coalition do? What will the surrounding vassal states think of us? They might think that the Tang Dynasty doesn't have the guts, which would cause even greater unrest. The Xueyantuo Khan is the instigator of this incident. If he wins, the Xueyantuo territory might become even more difficult to govern."
What surprised the court ministers was that Changsun Wuji was now on the opposite side of Li Xiang, while Fang Xuanling was on Li Xiang's side and actually supported Li Xiang's statement.
Li Shimin was very satisfied with the current situation. We can engage in intrigues as much as we want in normal times, but at the critical moment, we must speak out our true thoughts. Only in this way can we help the Tang Dynasty instead of bringing the struggle into such military and national affairs.
After Fang Xuanling finished speaking, many people present began to discuss. It was not a good idea to fight now, nor was it a good idea not to fight. If they fought, the support provided by the court would definitely not be much. After all, two wars had just ended. Although the court now had some money, the domestic people's livelihood issues were still waiting.
But if we don't fight, it will easily encourage their arrogance, especially this guy Xueyantuo Khan, he will definitely stir up a huge wave. In just two months, he has united the countries in the Western Regions, which shows that he is a competent conspirator. If he is given more time, I really don't know what the final result will be. At that time, it may make our Tang Dynasty even more embarrassed.
"You know the situation in the northwest, so tell me the truth. With the people Su Dingfang has now, how many more troops can be added to fight this battle? I mean to win a battle."
It was the most critical moment again. The other ministers were already used to it, but Xiao Shougui was a little uncomfortable with this tone. Was this the way the emperor should speak? In fact, everyone knew that on these military and national affairs, the emperor liked to listen to Li Xiang's opinions, and he wanted to simplify all the opinions into one sentence, so that the emperor could make a choice more easily.
At this time, the court was very quiet. No one said a word. Everyone was waiting for Li Xiang's answer. Li Xiang was also doing quick calculations in his mind. Li Shimin did not urge him. It seemed as if it was a matter of course. However, Xiao Shougui, a newcomer, noticed something. It was that in the entire court, except Li Xiang, no one could answer such a question.
Su Dingfang has a total of more than 10,000 people under his command. These people are all good at fighting, and some are system soldiers exchanged by Li Xiang. It is not impossible to expect them to sweep across the Western Regions army, but if they do so, it will be a bit difficult to occupy the Western Regions.
"Your Majesty, I don't think we'll need to send more troops or deliver supplies for the next few months. They can get them locally. But after a few months, I'm afraid we'll have to take some action. The first step is to appoint local officials, and the second is for me to mobilize the troops stationed there. General Su's troops are very capable and good at fighting. If we ask them to manage local security, it would be a waste of their talents."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, everyone understood what was going on. It was still the same as before. Su Dingfang's men were enough to decide the outcome, but the court had to start preparing to take over the entire Western Regions.
If it were a newcomer, such as Xiao Shougui, he would feel that Li Xiang was a little too confident. The war hasn't even started yet, and you are already preparing to take over the entire Western Regions. Isn't this a bit too early?
A smile also appeared on Li Shimin's face. How could an emperor with aggressive intentions not go to war?