Without him, the two questions that Li Hong said were a little too acute.

It can even be described as rude, even though Li Hong is the prince, but this has already involved the confidential affairs of the military, so Pei Xingjian has to be cautious.

However, Li Ji on the side slowly opened his eyes, his eyes were like eagle falcons, he just stared at Li Hong, and asked in a deep voice.

"What does Your Highness mean?"

"Lone's meaning is very clear, now that my Datang army has reached the point where it has to be rectified, does Master Li still want to continue to cover it up?"

However, in the face of Li Ji's strong demeanor, Li Hong was not afraid at all, and said lightly.

After a pause, Li Hong turned to Pei Xingjian and continued.

"General Pei, forgive me for being rude! In this Western Expedition, the Emperor's decree made it clear that 300,000 horses and horses would be mobilized for the general's command by the army of Ziying Prefecture and the East and West Routes, but how many troops did the general actually have? I don't know if there are more than 200,000? ”

Although Li Hong's tone was light, he was extremely determined.

For a moment, Pei Xingjian's face became extremely ugly, but when he raised his head, he just saw that Li Ji nodded to himself with the same solemn expression.

Pei Xingjian struggled for a moment and said with a wry smile.

"Don't hide it from Your Highness, although our army is known as 300,000 troops this time, in fact, the army under the command of the minister is only barely 200,000, otherwise, with the courage of my Tang cavalry, how can I hold on to the Turks for so long?"

In the end, Pei Xingjian's voice carried a touch of pride, this is the arrogance of his years of fighting on the battlefield!

In fact, as long as a martial artist, what he hates the most is peace talks!

If it weren't for the fact that the Tang Army was really tired at that time and couldn't afford to continue the battle, how could Pei Xingjian agree to Ashina's surrender so easily?

I think that if he really has an army of 300,000 in his hands, he can directly crush the past, why do he need so many schemes?

Pei Xingjian's tone was a little helpless, but after a while, he asked with a little doubt.

"But how do these Highnesses know?"

But Li Hong's expression was also solemn, his brows were furrowed, and he spoke.

"General Pei, this matter has long been known to Lone, but because it is a matter in the army, it is inconvenient for Lone to speak, so it has been delayed until today, but it is ...... Is it true that there is such a shortage of soldiers? ”

To be honest, Pei Xingjian's answer actually surprised Li Hongda.

He already knew that in recent years, as the Tang Dynasty has become richer, the defects of the government military system have gradually been exposed, and the shortage of soldiers has long been a common thing!

But what he didn't expect was that the matter had reached such a serious point, you know, in this battle of the Western Expedition, but Li Zhi personally issued a holy decree and ordered Pei Xingjian to go to quell the chaos.

But there is still such a serious shortage, then there is only one possibility, that is, there really can't be so many soldiers cobbled together!

Moreover, the 300,000 army has been reduced to 200,000, a one-third less, which is not shocking, and it seems that the affairs of the military cannot be dragged on any longer......

Otherwise, if a war breaks out in a few years, I'm afraid that Datang's army really won't even be able to get together 300,000!

Pei Xingjian smiled bitterly and said.

"Your Highness doesn't know, the land of Gyeonggi is still good, but in other parts of the Tang Dynasty, the shortage of soldiers over the years has become more and more serious, because of this matter, the minister and Li Shi have discussed several times, and also reported to Your Majesty, but there is no good way, and now the combat power of my Tang army is still strong, this matter has been delayed."

"I see!"

Li Hong nodded.

Originally, he was still wondering, with Li Zhi's sensitivity to the military, how could such a big problem exist, it seems that it was because the Tang Dynasty had been peaceful for a long time, and occasionally there was chaos, and it could be quickly calmed down, so Li Zhi relaxed his vigilance.

"Your Highness, isn't there something wrong with the military?"

Unexpectedly, at this time, Dai Zhide said confusedly.

To be honest, the old man didn't understand what Li Hong was saying since just now, but from the looks of the three people in front of him, Dai Zhide could also sense that this was a very serious problem.

Otherwise, it would not have made Li Hong and the two in front of him so anxious.

It's just that Dai Zhide is a literati, and he has never been very familiar with military affairs, so he can only listen to it more and more confused, and now, he finally can't help but ask.

"It's a lonely faux pas! Teacher Dai is a little safe! ”

Li Hong woke up from his contemplation and said to Dai Zhide apologetically.

It was really Pei Xingjian's words just now that Li Hong was really startled, and he was a little distracted for a while.

After a pause, Li Hong sorted out his thoughts and spoke.

"Master Dai, in fact, this matter is to put it bluntly, that is, it is becoming more and more difficult for my Datang army to have new soldiers join, and as the original soldiers retire and grow old, the shortage of soldiers in various places is very serious, so that in this battle of the Western Expedition, General Pei Xingjian should have 300,000 soldiers, but the actual participants in this war are only 200,000!"

Li Hongyan explained to Dai Zhide succinctly.

But this made the old man more and more confused, how could there be an inexplicable shortage of soldiers?

But there is one thing Dai Zhide understands, no matter what causes the shortage of soldiers, for Datang, this is a fatal blow, you know, Datang's iron cavalry is powerful in all directions, but if there is no successor, it will inevitably lead to very serious consequences!

If what Li Hong said is true, then I am afraid it will really be a major event that is enough to shake the court!

As soon as he thought of this, Dai Zhide's brows also furrowed, and he asked.

"Why, then? Isn't it the state and county officials who don't do their best? ”

Li Hong shook his head slightly, if only things were so simple.

If it is really a problem of officials, it will naturally be good to kill a group and deter a group, but this time the problem is at the root, if you make a big move, I am afraid it will be really difficult to see results!

After a pause, Li Hong settled down and asked.

"Master Dai, do you know, what is the current military system of my Datang?"

Without waiting for Dai Zhide to speak, Li Hong continued.

"Our dynasty followed the previous dynasty, implemented the government military system, included soldiers in the military government, integrated soldiers and farmers, soldiers in wartime, farmers in leisure time, cultivated fields, so as to be self-sufficient, saving a lot of military expenses!

During the time of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, my Tang Dynasty Iron Cavalry was powerful in all directions, and it was precisely because of the government soldiers who practiced day and night that they had this combat power.

But now, there is something wrong with the military system of this government......"

Li Hong's brows were furrowed, and there was a thick worry in his expression.

And Dai Zhide also understands the seriousness of the matter at this moment, the government military system is the foundation of the military system of the Tang Dynasty, if it is really a problem of the government military system, I am afraid that the matter is really big!

But despite this, Dai Zhide has always been steady, but he was not very flustered, but arched his hand with a solemn expression and said.

"Your Highness, please elaborate!" (To be continued.) )