The next day, February 15, coincided with the period of the Great Pilgrimage. (Ye Zi Yo ~ Yo . YZuU.) Early in the morning, the Wude Hall will meet.

After the civil and military hundred officials and the country Qi Xunluo waited for the mountains to call long live, they were arranged on the left and right. Li Shimin was sitting on the dragon chair in the dragon robe, and said loudly: "Today, I am looking forward to the court meeting, discussing national affairs, and I have important matters to discuss with the secretaries." ”

When everyone heard this, their hearts suddenly tightened, and they secretly thought, most of them were related to the war in Tibet. Not long ago, there was a commotion in the western frontier of the Garqin Mausoleum, and the world shook, is there anything bigger than this in front of you?

"Between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo, there has been a struggle for many years. Since the continuation of the Wude Dynasty, it has not stopped. Although I have the intention of making the alliance between the two countries forever, Tubo refused to give me a marriage and killed my envoys, and waved his army to knock on the border and troubled the 1uan territory, and even killed the heroes of my feudal country. Now they are harassing our state and county, killing people, setting fire to the city, and harming the people, which is very harmful. This hatred and hatred are not shared. Li Shimin said aloud, and the voice was mighty, and said, "Now, Qin Mubai, the general manager of the march of the Guanxi Road, led the army to fight even victories, and broke through Tubo in the Phantom Moon Valley, Dafeichuan, and Yùmen Pass, annihilating more than 100,000 enemies, and greatly hurting the vitality of Tubo. I thought that it was necessary to take advantage of the victory to pursue at this time, just as the Turkic Khanate had been wiped out in the past, and the final blow of the Tubo was dealt with with the strength of heavy troops. ”

Speaking of this, Li Shimin paused and said: "I have been fighting the world for half my life, and I know the truth that 'those who know soldiers are not warlike'. War, after all, is a weapon that hurts the enemy and oneself, and cannot be used unless it is absolutely necessary. Most of the important ministers of our court and the relatives of the emperor are present today, and I just want to ask the meaning of the secretaries. Is it feasible to start the battle I want to fight? ”

As soon as Li Shimin's voice fell, the whole court was quiet. All the ministers heard that the emperor was a preemptive person who violated the norm today. In the past, whenever major matters were decided, the secretaries generally met in the court, and then the emperor finally made the decision. Today, but on the contrary, the emperor first shook out his burden to show his heart, and let the ministers discuss.

Li Shimin is a little "unkind" in this matter, after all, not any courtier dares to easily veto the emperor's opinion, which is too much of a test of courage and guts. But at the same time, this also means that the emperor seems to be "determined to win" today, and in his heart, he has probably made up his mind to fight this battle. The so-called public discussion is just trying to escape the infamy of being stubborn and self-serving.

So for a while, no one really came out to express their opinions.

"Why, with such a major national policy, all the secretaries have nothing to say? Do you want to send pen and ink to serve like I did last time? Li Shimin said.

As soon as the words fell, someone really stood up, "Your Majesty, the old minister has something to say." 【Leaf*Zi】【Yo*Yo]"

When everyone looked at it, it turned out to be Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu is a knowledgeable and talented Confucian, a descendant of the former Sui nobility with a noble bloodline, and is reused by Gaozu. Although Li Shimin did not abandon him after he ascended the throne, his important position had long been replaced by Li Shimin's descendant Fang Xuanling. The biggest characteristic of this person is that he is upright, and he says that he "doesn't know the times" in an ugly way. He was at odds with Fang Xuanling and others, and he often bluntly offended Long Yan, but he never compromised and showed weakness, and only knew how to do it, so his career rose and fell several times. Now he has just been demoted to a foreign official and recruited back. Above the court, people are called "Xiao Laoniu", which means that he is stubborn.

"What is Xiao Tejin's opinion?" Li Shimin said. Tejin is Xiao Yu's official name, and the official has no real position, but the official character is very high, which is an honorary title, and it is generally resided by extremely noble and respected people.

"The old minister said in vain that since Your Majesty knows the truth that 'those who know soldiers are not warlike', you must remember that although the country is big, warlike will die." Xiao Yu said, "In recent years, my Datang has been fighting endlessly, and the white bones in the territory have been pillowed, and the domestic waste has bottomed out; The blood of the soldiers stained the robes, and the people were miserable. The old minister dared to ask His Majesty, is my Datang still fulfilling the royal road of benevolence to help the world govern the people, or has I embarked on the road of hegemony? ”

"The Tang Dynasty governs the country with benevolence and filial piety, which is naturally the implementation of the royal road." Li Shimin replied lightly.

Xiao Yu was about to argue again, when Fang Xuanling next to him stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Weichen has something to say." ”

"Speak."

Fang Xuanling bowed, turned to look at Xiao Yu, and said, "What Xiao Tejin said just now was taken out of context. "Sima Law" has clouds, although the country is warlike, it will perish; Although the world is safe, forgetting the war will be dangerous. In the more than ten years since His Majesty ascended the throne, Datang has never taken the initiative to provoke war. Fang Xuanling asked Xiao Tejin rhetorically, facing the enemy's offense, what should I do in Datang? ”

"This ......" Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment and said, "No matter how domineering the royal road is, they will fight back." ”

"Is it a royal move or a domineering move to fight back?" Fang Xuanling asked again.

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, and glared at Fang Xuanling with a little annoyance, "Fang Xianggong, what are you going to set for me?" ”

Fang Xuanling smiled, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty chuckled for a while.

Li Shimin also smiled, waved his hand and said, "Xiao Tejin, I know that you are loyal to the country with good intentions." But at this moment, please don't say any more useless big truths. What I want to discuss today is the rational and feasible use of troops against Tibet. (Ye Zi Yo ~ Yo . YZuU.) The secretaries only discussed, whether this battle can be won, whether it is necessary to fight, and whether it is cost-effective? ”

Fang Xuanling arched his hand, "What Your Majesty just said, there is a core word in the words, that is, the word 'cost-effective'. ”

"Yes, not only me, but also the people of the Manchu Dynasty will think about this issue." Li Shimin said, "As everyone knows, Tubo is located on the plateau, frozen for thousands of miles, barren and desolate, and the people's livelihood is withered. Not only is it not easy to use soldiers, but my people in the Central Plains are also not adapted to the living environment there. This is the important difference between Tibet and the Turks in those years. Can our army fight on the plateau? If you fight, can you win? This is the first big issue to be resolved. ”

"Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that this big issue should be asked to the generals on the front line, rather than to be discussed by the ministers in the court." Fang Xuanling said, "Because among the people present, no one has ever been to the Tubo Plateau, no one knows the real situation there, and they don't know the battle situation on the front line. We are here to discuss, and whatever the outcome is to be agreed upon, it is a matter of course. We secretly believe that what we do is actually irresponsible for the war and an injustice to the front-line soldiers. ”

"That ......makes sense," Li Shimin nodded approvingly, "What do you think?" ”

Xiao Yuke hadn't retreated yet, and then he hurriedly said: "What Your Majesty just said is to discuss the necessity of this war. Now, how can it be changed to the key to discussing the outcome of the war? So, is Your Majesty playing the nong ministers? Since Your Majesty has decided to fight, why should you discuss? ”

When everyone heard this, Xiao Yu was complaining about the emperor, and secretly scolded him in his heart for not knowing the current affairs, but also pinched a cold sweat for him.

Li Shimin was patient and unpopular today, and said, "Of course I'm not playing with you. The necessity of this war depends largely on the outcome of the future. If you know you're going to lose, who is going to war? Xiao Tejin, do you think I would do such a stupid thing? ”

The ministers laughed again, and Xiao Yu's face became more and more ugly. I had to arch my hand and say "the old minister lost his words" and obediently retreated.

Fang Xuanling said: "Your Majesty, the situation is like this, war is inevitable. It's not that I'm warlike and happy in the Tang Dynasty, but that the Tubo people are too much. Not long ago, more than 10 counties in western Xinjiang were deeply affected by it, and the people were displaced. This affliction is worse than the affliction of conquest. ——Wei Chen secretly believes that the competition between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo originated from the natural opposition between the people of the Chinese atomic people, who live in peace, and the nomadic people, who live by plundering. This difference and contradiction cannot be reconciled at all. Therefore, such a national policy as making peace with the pro-alliance can only seek peace for a while. Therefore, the Central Plains and the Hu people are either a bloody battle of life and death, or a dead cycle of war and pro, war and pro. Weichen has thought many times, can the peace and rise and fall of an empire only be built on women? So what are the men of this empire for? ”

As soon as these words came out, the whole court booed and exclaimed.

Because all the people present were men from the Tang Empire.

Fang Xuanling was unmoved, looked at his nose and nose, and said loudly: "Weichen thinks that the period of the great war between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo has arrived. The soldiers of Kansai shed their blood and fought even better, and the enemy army was sharp, which was the blessed site of the Tang Dynasty given by the sky! At this time, if you don't take advantage of the victory to chase the opportunity to never suffer in the future, there will be a day of regret! Your Majesty is the king and we are the ministers, and we should plan for a hundred years, not just focus on the present. It is true that this battle will be very hard, and it will consume countless money and food, and many soldiers will be buried in the snow. However, in order to seek long-term benefits for future generations, we should pacify Tibet and never suffer in the future! ”

Fang Xuanling is not young at the same age, but when he says it this time, it is as sonorous as the words of the martial arts, and the generosity is full of pride!

Li Shimin's heart was churning, and he almost jumped off Jinluan Zhan to pull the house Xuanling, and shouted "My confidant, the pillar of the country".

But at this moment, he kept calm very well and said: "I heard what Fang Aiqing said, the key is the word 'long-term'. In fact, I want to say that Fang Aiqing has always been strongly opposed to war. Because he has always been in charge of the entire country's revenue and expenditure, he is my steward of Datang, no one knows Datang's family background better than him, and no one knows the loss caused by a war better than him. Now, even Fang Xuanling is fighting like this, does that really mean that this battle is what the people want? Don't just listen, let's express your opinions. ”

In fact, when it comes to this, nine out of ten people already know in their hearts that this battle must be fought.

At this time, the eldest grandson Wuji stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Weichen said that Fang Xianggong said that this battle must be fought. But how to fight and who to send is the key more important than anything else. ”

Everyone, including Li Shimin, was awakened - today's core topic was picked out by the core figures!

Yes, the key to this battle is not only to determine the rise and fall between the two dynasties, but also to determine the future trend of the Tang Dynasty. At the same time, it will also determine the prince of the Tang Dynasty and the future courtiers.

At this time, the eldest grandson Wuji will no longer sit back and watch Leng Mingzhe protect himself. He had to take the initiative. Otherwise, what awaits him may be the end of the river.

"That's a good question." Li Shimin nodded and praised, and said, "Actually, what we want to discuss today is this military matter. In a big war like pacifying Tibet, who will be in charge? Just like back then, I sent Li Jing. But now Li Jing is old and sick, and he can't make the trip. Who should I send? ”

As soon as the emperor's words fell, Fang Xuanling said: "Weichen thinks that the general must be used in the conquest of Tibet. There are many generals in my court, but there are not many generals and troops who are really familiar with Tibet and adapt to the original plain. Qin Mubai, the commander of the Kansai Army, inherited his father's legacy and won many victories over Tibet in Kansai for a long time, and he was really a good candidate. ”

When these words were spoken, the fool objected. Because I really can't find someone more suitable for fighting Tubo than Qin Mubai. Li Tao is also famous and capable, but he is now busy dealing with Xue Yantuo in the grassland!

"Weichen once again seconded what Fang Xianggong said, and the one who took command to conquer Tubo was none other than Qin Mubai." The eldest grandson Wuji arched his hand, suddenly changed his words, and said, "However, to shoulder the heavy responsibility of such a vast national war, Qin Mubai is still a little younger after all. Weichen suggested that His Majesty should choose experienced veterans to be his assistants, and at the same time, the DPRK must send important ministers to serve as the marching chief! ”

Hearing the words "Long History of the March", everyone's hearts sank - isn't that just to let the imperial court send a supervisor to watch Qin Mubai? What he meant by this was to imply that Qin Mubai was not very obedient and had to send someone to guide him, and to fight this battle according to the emperor's wishes of the imperial court, or was it ...... Qin Mubai is ambitious, beware?!

Back then, Li Jing exterminated the Turks, but he didn't send such people! are all famous ministers and generals, honestly listen to Li Jing's unified command, Li Jing has been granted full power to act on behalf of the emperor, including princes like Li Daozong, they don't dare to say anything!

"The history of the imperial court stationed in the march?" Li Shimin slowly repeated a sentence, slightly twisted his brows, and said, "Situ thinks, who is better to send?" ”

Everyone was slightly shocked again, the emperor said this skillfully, and directly asked "who is better to send", instead of asking "is it necessary" - the implication is that the emperor actually agreed!

It seems that only the eldest grandson, Wuji, can best appreciate the emperor's mind!

"Weichen thinks that this battle is related to the lifeblood of the country and the rise and fall of the clan, if it is not for the Son of Heaven to take command, he must send the prince to the army to order the world to encourage the three armies!" The eldest grandson Wuji bowed his hands with deep eyebrows, and said loudly, "Li Tai, the king of Wei, has always respected the aspirations of the people, has learned to be humble and decent, and is worthy of being strong enough to withstand the hardships of the military, so he is the most suitable candidate!" ”

These words were like a heavy bomb, and everyone's hearts jumped on the spot!