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The battle in the court is definitely a war without gunpowder, its danger is more than the battlefield, there is no more, the inside of the knife and the arrow are everywhere, a little careless, is the end of the overturned ship in the gutter, this Li Zhen has long been taught, therefore, although it is said that an ambiguous agreement with Li Shimin was privately issued, but Li Zhen still does not dare to relax on this, the reason is very simple, Li Zhen is now the prince, it sounds like the righteous name is in hand, it seems to have a great advantage, but in fact, it is not always more difficult to defend the country than to fight the country, Now Li Zhen is undoubtedly on the defensive, and he is in the open, how can there be such a convenient thing to guard against the plots of the brothers, not afraid of thieves stealing, afraid of thieves worrying about it?

Take the current situation as an example, Li Shimin is bent on pro-conquest, no one can convince him of this article, most of the courtiers are also the main battle, the only difference is that the courtiers oppose Li Shimin's pro-conquest, in this case, only a group of princes are slightly fanning the flames in the dark, and it is inevitable that the courtiers will publicly promote Li Zhen, the prince, to lead the army, so that Li Zhen will inevitably be pushed to the opposite side of Li Shimin, even if the father and son have communicated in private, but the mustard may not be completely eliminated, And this is a result that Li Zhen does not want to see no matter what, and it is obvious that the only way to change this result is to guide public opinion.

The guidance of public opinion is easy to say, but it is rare to do a lot of brothers are not fuel-efficient lamps, Li Zhen moves, how can those guys sit idly by, not to mention that Li Zhen wants to guide public opinion and has to guard against the old man, if it is too much, it will inevitably cause the old man's suspicion, that is not a fun thing, but no matter how difficult, this thing must be done, not only to get out of the matter this time, but also to try, See if you can stop the old man's doomed pro-conquest Whether it is from the strength of the Tang Dynasty or from the perspective of being a son of man, Li Zhen is unwilling and cannot sit back and watch the coming of failure, so that there are not many choices in front of Li Zhen If you want to guide public opinion quietly, only if you level the three prime ministers, it is possible, but if you want to level the three prime ministers, it is not so simple, and the choice of breakthrough and even timing has become the key factor of success or failure, there is no doubt Fang Xuanling, who is known as a virtuous person, is the fortress that must be broken first.

Among the famous ministers of the past dynasties, Fang Xuanling is definitely an outlier, not only because he has a wife who is famous in the annals of history because of jealousy, but also because he has served as the chief assistant of the two dynasties for nearly 30 years, but he can't see that even a political achievement project that can be done does not have the great military exploits of Li Jing, Li Ji and others on the battlefield, nor the prestige of Wei Zheng and other offenses, let alone the political achievements of the eldest grandson Wuji in revising the "Tang Law", even if Fang Xuanling is the first in his life's achievements in the Xuanwumen change plan, his credit is only with the eldest grandson Wuji, Hou Junji and others are just juxtaposed. If you look at it from the merit alone, Fang Xuanling seems to be an extremely mediocre person, and his name as a good face doesn't seem to be a good match, and his appearance is very ordinary, and he doesn't have the majesty of a prime minister, just an ordinary old man, taking off his official robe, it seems to be no different from the fortune tellers on the street, however, everyone in the world knows that the Tang Dynasty can operate like anyone without it, but once Fang Xuanling is missing, the well-functioning court will immediately have to be in chaos. The reason is very simple, Fang Xuanling is the lubricant that keeps the powerful chariot of the Tang Dynasty rolling forward, if there is no Fang Xuanling's harmony, the chariot will immediately break down due to mechanical failure When Li Tang raised his army, it was Fang Xuanling who vigorously recruited talents for Li Tang; It was Fang Xuanling who recommended Wei Zheng, Wang Qi and others to Li Shimin; It was also Fang Xuanling who coordinated logistics for Li Jing, Li Ji and other famous marshals to fight in the Quartet; Dealing with complicated daily administrative affairs day after day, only Fang Xuanling can play a powerful role in a highly streamlined administrative organization, so it can be said objectively that Fang Xuanling is Xiao He of Datang.

Fang Xuanling is Xiao He, but it is Li Shimin's Xiao He, not Li Zhen's name, facing Fang Xuanling, who is as pale as paper, but calm, Li Zhen did not dare to be careless at all, and personally greeted the door of the Xiande Palace, not to mention, as soon as he saw Fang Xuanling's face, he also politely made a junior salute, and greeted: Fang Xiang, the palace is a little unclear about government affairs, and I specially invite the Fang Gong to come to solve my doubts, but there is a disturbance, please forgive me.

Fang Xuanling is nearly seventy years old, this time with Li Shimin to conquer Goguryeo, although he was only in charge of logistics in the rear camp of Youzhou, and did not arrive at the front line with the car, but after all, he is old, and his physical strength and energy are not as good as before, plus the military logistics affairs are complicated, and Fang Xuanling has always done everything himself, so he tossed back and forth, and just returned to Beijing and fell seriously ill, until not long ago, he was considered to be cured, but he couldn't take more rest, and he couldn't wait to return to the court director when he was sick, and he was tired every day, and today is no exception. Originally, when he was in Shangshutai to manage the government, he heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had an invitation, saying that he had official business to ask for advice, and immediately took a carriage to the East Palace, at this time, seeing Li Zhen so polite, Fang Xuanling hurriedly took a few steps back, bowed down and said: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is polite, and it is the responsibility of the old minister to serve His Royal Highness the Prince.

Fanggong, please inside. Li Zhen knew that Fang Xuanling was busy with government affairs, and he was already very face-saving to be called to come this time, so he didn't dare to delay more, so he smiled and bowed sideways, made a gesture of please, and let Fang Xuanling enter the Xiande Palace, laughing and talking about a path straight into the study, and each of them sat down, and after the tea served by the little eunuchs, they immediately bowed down and retreated, and only the two monarchs and ministers sat opposite each other in the study.

Fang Xuanling has never had personal contact with the princes, but at this time, seeing Li Zhenping retreating left and right, although his face was silent, his eyelids jumped inadvertently, and he coughed low and said: Dare to ask His Highness what government affairs he is puzzled about, and let the old minister explain it in detail on his behalf.

Although Fang Xuanling's words were polite, Li Zhen saw the dissatisfaction in Fang Xuanling's heart, but it could be seen that Li Zhen invited Fang Xuanling to come this time, and there was no way, at this time, seeing Fang Xuanling's official attitude as soon as he opened his mouth, he didn't care, just smiled and said: Fang Xiang, the matter that you and the eldest grandson and the two prime ministers proposed yesterday has been thought about again and again in this palace, and it can be regarded as a decision. As Li Zhen spoke, she took out a yellow silk masked fold from her wide sleeve and handed it to Fang Xuanling.

Oh? Fang Xuanling didn't expect Li Zhen to make a decision so quickly, a trace of surprise quickly flashed across Gu Jing Bubo's face, he sat up straight, took the notebook in Li Zhen's hand with both hands, and spread it out, just looking at it, the expression on his face immediately became complicated, his brows were tightly contemplated, he didn't say a word for a long time, and Li Zhen didn't urge, and the study was quiet.

Fang Xuanling started in troubled times, since he was a little familiar with the military strategy, he deeply agreed with Li Zhen's excerpt about the good opportunity to attack Xue Yantuo, but Fang Xuanling is also a Guanzhong standardist, and he is not very interested in completely conquering the grassland, but he is a little worried about Li Zhen's generosity that may become a confidant of the Tang Dynasty, although now that the Tang Dynasty's military strength is at its peak, Xue Yantuo will not be able to make a big wave for a while, but Fang Xuanling knows that since ancient times, those grassland nomads have all risen and invaded the Central Plains. From the Xiongnu to the Turks, if you really do what Li Zhen said, the border trouble will be completely nipped in the bud, it will be a great thing to benefit the descendants, and next year is the best time to do such a thing in the future, but to do this, the military expenditure required is undoubtedly astronomical, even with the current strength of the Tang Dynasty, it is impossible to launch such a war of annihilation deep into the grassland at the same time as the conquest of Goguryeo.

On the one hand, the battle of Goguryeo has been decided, and on the other hand, the temptation to take advantage of the chaos to destroy Xue Yantuo, in contrast, it is really difficult for Fang Xuanling to choose for a while From the bottom of his heart, Fang Xuanling agrees with Li Zhen's strategic idea, but reason tells Fang Xuanling a fact, that is, the holy will is difficult to violate, therefore, although he knows that what Li Zhen said is right, Fang Xuanling still can't and won't make a clear show of support, but in the face of Li Zhen's sincere smile, Fang Xuanling really didn't know how to explain this matter for a while, and after being silent for a while, he said thoughtfully: Although Your Highness's idea is good, it's just that my dynasty is now about to conquer Goguryeo, and I really don't have the strength to start a war again, and I am afraid that it will be quite difficult for the court to discuss it.

Although Fang Xuanling's words were vague, he was actually telling Li Zhen that the conquest of Goguryeo was a matter personally decided by Li Shimin, and there was no possibility of changing it at all, if Li Zhen rashly proposed a westward expansion strategy, no matter what the court discussed, this would be in opposition to Li Shimin. Li Zhenzi understands the subtext in these words, although she has expected it, but she can't help but feel a little uncomfortable in her heart, Li Zhenzi also knows that it is impossible to change Li Shimin's decision-making base, the reason why she gave this book to Fang Xuanling first, of course, is to hope that Fang Xuanling can help him persuade the old man to change his mind, but he also knows that the hope is not very big, but this is also a reasonable thing Fang Xuanling has never opposed Li Shimin's proposition in major military strategies in his life, but Li Zhen does not particularly care, It's just that there are still workarounds in hand.

What Fang Gong said is very true, the palace just doesn't want to miss such a good opportunity, hehe, see the smile, well, this matter is not discussed for the time being, left and right with the ability to set up children with generosity, the palace does not pay much attention to it, and it will be cleaned up later, but there is fear of turmoil in the northwest, and please have a few parties in the heart. Li Zhen smiled self-deprecatingly, looked unnecessary, and said gently.

Obviously, Li Zhen also has hidden words in his words, what he said is that in case there is chaos in the northwest, he has to rely on him Li Zhen to stabilize the situation, after all, the armies in the Western Regions are all Li Zhen's descendants, and others are afraid that they may not be able to command smoothly. Fang Xuanling understands this meaning, but in Fang Xuanling's opinion, Li Zhen is inevitably a little suspicious of self-respect, but Fang Xuanling has a deep heart, and he didn't bring it to his face, but frowned lightly and said: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is wise and martial, and the old minister has known it for a long time, but in the eyes of the old minister, the northwest is just a ringworm scabies, and there is no need to be afraid, and the Goguryeo matter is the key point, what does His Highness think?

Fang Xuanling's words mean that the conquest of Goguryeo has become a fact, rather than letting the aging Li Shimin go to the expedition in person, it is better for you Li Zhen to lead the three armies, this is the inevitable move of sharing the worries of the father as a son of man, if Li Zhen uses the pretext that there will be chaos in the northwest, and is unwilling to serve as the commander of the expedition to Goguryeo, it is an act of violating filial piety.

Dizzy, do you have to roast us on the stove, why don't we want to fight? We don't care where we fight, but can the old man let us fight? Listening to Fang Xuanling's words, Li Zhen wanted to cry, and in desperation, he smiled bitterly and said: Fang Xiang's lesson is true, and this palace also thinks it is true, this Japanese palace has already thought deeply about the conquest of Goguryeo, and has gained a little, please ask Fang Gong for advice. As Li Zhen spoke, she took out a fold from her sleeve again, but this fold was not covered with yellow silk, and was obviously just a herb.

Listening to the meaning of Li Zhen's words, it seemed that he was willing to go on the expedition on behalf of his father, Fang Xuanling's originally slightly tense face immediately showed a smile of relief, stretched out his hand to take the fold in Li Zhen's hand, and buried his head in looking at it, but looking at it, he felt that something was wrong, Li Zhen's fold was very long, at the beginning it was to analyze the topography of Goguryeo and the advantages and disadvantages of the army, which was considered decent, but in the end, the strategic thinking put forward was completely different from Li Shimin's strategic concept of rapid attack Li Zhen believed that Goryeo was a city by the mountainsIf the war drags on for a long time, it will be difficult to sustain the logistical baggage, and it is easy to repeat the old rut of Emperor Yang of Sui's three expeditions to Goguryeo, but after the previous conquest, the farmland and water conservancy of Goguryeo have been destroyed in a large area, and the land has not been cultivated; The cities conquered, the food and materials were also confiscated; In addition, the drought was severe, and most of the people of Goguryeo were in a state of semi-starvation, so it was recommended to carry out a war of destruction, that is, several detachments of partial divisions to attack a different area each time, so that the enemy would be exhausted, and the intention was to lose the time of its farming, and every city would be destroyed, and within a few years Goguryeo would collapse due to food shortage.

Fang Xuanling is not too proficient in strategy and tactics, but after a long time of war, he still has a strategic vision, after reading the excerpts, he slightly calculated the cost comparison of the two strategies, and his heart was inclined to the strategy of this kind of breaking war proposed by Li Zhen, but when he remembered that Li Shimin had become more and more stubborn and could not listen to people's persuasion over the years, he really did not dare to make it clear that he agreed with Li Zhen's opinions, and after hesitating again and again, he sighed and said: Your Majesty is the king of the Holy Ming, and he has his own fixed opinions, and no one else can influence it. It's better not to mention it. Fang Xuanling's words were out of good intentions, this was to remind Li Zhen not to put forward a strategic idea different from Li Shimin, once the two strategies caused a fierce collision between the court, no matter what the outcome was, it would not be a good thing for Li Zhen.

No more fun! Although Li Zhen knew that Fang Xuanling's mention was a good intention, but she was still very uncomfortable in her heart, without him, even Fang Xuanling didn't dare to come forward to fight with Li Shimin, let alone others, and the idea of such a breaking war could only be stillborn, this fact made Li Zhen helpless, and after being silent for a long time, he said with a gloomy face: Fang Xiang is high, the palace has been taught, and the northwest matter has been discussed with his father yesterday, and his father also believes that Xue Yantuo's rebellion will inevitably affect the Western Regions and even Longyou, At that time, if my army is on an expedition to Goguryeo, the country is empty, once the war spreads, I am afraid that there will be disaster, therefore, the father and the emperor specially ordered the palace to guard the northwest, the fang minister yesterday's proposal, the palace is afraid that it is incompetent, and I am afraid that the ministers are unknown, and ask the fang xiang to help the palace come forward to explain one or two, I don't know how the fang xiang agrees?

Fang Xuanling obviously didn't expect that Li Zhen had reached a consensus with the old man, as soon as he heard Li Zhen's words didn't seem to be false, he was stunned, and then suddenly woke up to the true meaning of Li Zhen's words, his face immediately became solemn, and after muttering for a long time, he nodded cautiously and said: The old minister knows how to do it, but it is appropriate for His Royal Highness the eldest grandson Situ to explain it alone.

This is natural, the palace will visit the eldest grandson Situ Mansion later, this time there is a labor room to bother, the palace is grateful. Seeing that the matter had come to this, Li Zhen nodded and replied very politely.

His Royal Highness is Shengming, the old minister still has official business, and he even retired, Your Highness, please stay. When Fang Xuanling heard Li Zhen say this, he understood that it was time to say goodbye, and he didn't dare to delay more, got up, bowed very respectfully, exited the study, and went to arrange relevant matters without mentioning it.

Alas, it's a pity, the old man still has to fight like this in the end, and the time is also, the momentum is also! After Fang Xuanling stepped back, Li Zhen sighed with a wry smile on her face, her eyes were full of bitterness, but she was helpless, after all, Li Zhen had tried her best this time, and if the strategic ideas put forward in this conversation with Fang Xuanling were leaked out, it would be a big storm if it didn't make a good noise, and the risk here was not small, fortunately, Fang Xuanling was a person who knew the severity, Li Zhen was not too worried that Fang Xuanling would deliberately embarrass herself, but she felt deep regret for failing to stop the old man's war.

Your Highness. Just when Li Zhen was stunned, Yan Da, who was dressed in palace guard clothes, appeared in the study at some point, and saw Li Zhen standing in front of the window, and after waiting for a while, he couldn't help but say something.

What's the matter? Although Li Zhen was a little unhappy, as soon as she saw that the person who came was a wild goose, she knew that something important was going to happen, so she immediately adjusted her mentality and asked calmly.

His Royal Highness, King Wu, King Wei, and King Shu jointly went to the eldest grandson Situ's mansion, and the specific details are still under investigation, please make it clear to Your Highness. Seeing Li Zhen's question, Yan Da hurriedly bowed down and hurried to report.

Well? When Li Zhen heard this, her heart immediately tightened, her brows furrowed, and a bad premonition surged from the bottom of her heart

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