Li Zhi, don't be a coward

The Eastern Expedition is a major event, and the process of preparing for the Eastern Expedition is long and cumbersome. The imperial court could not send troops immediately after Li Zhi just said an Eastern Expedition.

From the beginning to the end of a war, the process of preparation and aftermath is often longer than the formal battle process.

Today's Tang Dynasty is not considered rich and strong, it can only be said to be better than that of Zhenguan years.

During the Zhenguan period, Li Shimin frequently used troops abroad, which caused the people to suffer more and more. After Li Zhi ascended the throne, he had to adopt a policy of recuperation. During the ten years since he took the throne, Datang rarely used troops abroad, and the people finally regained some vitality.

According to Li Zhi's original plan, the Eastern Expedition may be delayed for a few more years, and the Eastern Expedition will be considered after raising the population, food and wealth of the people to a higher level.

However, the sweet potatoes introduced by Li Qinzai gave Li Zhi sufficient confidence.

After careful consideration, Li Zhi felt that Datang had already gained the confidence to do something hard outside.

With [-] catties of sweet potatoes per mu, the national treasury will soon be filled, the biggest domestic food problem will be basically solved, and the time for using foreign troops is ripe.

After all, it was Li Qinzai who made Li Zhi change the established national policy.

Not only the Eastern Expedition, Li Zhi also wanted to conquer Tubo. If the two powerful enemies of the east and the west could be wiped out during his reign as emperor, he would be well-known in the history books, and he would be called "one emperor through the ages". "Not too much, right?
"Conquer Goguryeo first, and then attack Tubo. I can rest easy if I get rid of these two powerful enemies within ten years!" Li Zhi's cheeks were slightly flushed, he was a little drunk, and his smile was a little crazy.

Li Qinzai frowned, but he still held up his cup and said respectfully: "The land of the Tang Dynasty will last forever, Your Majesty's imperial prestige will conquer the world, and I congratulate His Majesty."

Li Zhi happily drank a cup, and said with a big laugh, "It's all thanks to Jing Chu. I am very glad that there are loyal ministers and generals like Jing Chu in the country, who relieved my worries and made contributions to the society."

However, Li Qinzai's frowning expression for a brief moment just now was noticed by the quiet Empress Wu.

Empress Wu suddenly smiled and said, "Did Jing Chu have any remonstrance?"

Li Qinzai hurriedly said, "I have no advice."

Empress Wu said again: "Today there are no outsiders in the palace. Your Majesty has always regarded Jingchu as a brother. How can brothers cover up their faults? It is not the way of brothers and friends."

Li Qinzai smacked his lips, secretly analyzing whether the intention of Empress Wu's words was good or evil.

Tsk, the girls don't look like good people.

After Empress Wu said this, Li Zhi's drunkenness also woke up a little bit. He took a serious look at Li Qinzai and said, "Jing Chu has something to say, do you still use a cover-up between you and me? Or do you say that you are afraid of making mistakes?" If you say something, I will punish you? Haha, you can rest assured, I am not a narrow-minded person."

Li Qinzai sighed. In fact, most of the time, he didn't like to talk too much, and he didn't like to point fingers at state affairs. Doing so would easily cause trouble, and would make himself a bad person inside and out.

Many times, his truth is forced out, such as at this moment.

After thinking about it, since Li Zhijin is the county magistrate, this kind of favor is not small after all, so he might as well say a few words when it's time to tell the truth.

If in the middle of the talk, Li Zhi showed signs of turning his face, he would stop immediately and sing his praises.

Sophisticated, understand!
So Li Qinzai pondered for a while, and said: "Since Your Majesty and the Empress insist on my minister speaking, then I have some advice."

Li Zhi said with a smile: "Jingchu just tell me."

Li Qinzai said slowly: "The minister's remonstrance today is related to the century-old strategy of the Tang Dynasty..."

Before they finished speaking, Li Zhi and Empress Wu were startled, and after looking at each other, Li Zhi interrupted him with a wave of his hand, and shouted to the outside of the hall: "Come on, call the Zhongshu Sheren into the hall and the secretary is right."

Li Qinzai hurriedly said: "It doesn't have to be so formal, I just say it casually, Your Majesty can listen to it casually, if it doesn't catch your ears, it will be regarded as a drunken gibberish, don't take it seriously..."

However, Li Zhi and Empress Wu adjusted their sitting postures at the same time, becoming serious and upright. Li Zhi shook his head and said solemnly: "I have always attached great importance to Jingchu's advice. Today, Jingchu's admonition to the Tang Dynasty's century-old strategy is a major event for the country. Monarchs and ministers Playing right, there must be manners and rules.”

At this time, Empress Wu consciously sat behind Li Zhi, one shoulder away from Li Zhi, and arranged her clothes and appearance by herself, with a serious expression and calm eyes.

Not long after, Cui Sheng, the servant, hurried into the palace. After paying respects to Li Zhi and Empress Wu, the palace servants brought a low table, paper and pens, and Cui Sheng sat not far away without saying a word, dipping his pen in ink, waiting for the performance. right.

The sense of ritual was so strong that Li Qinzai couldn't handle it anymore. He twisted his body uncomfortably, feeling thorns all over his body.

What are you doing with these vain things? You can't be like the barbecue stand in the previous life, drinking cold beer while eating skewers, and then all kinds of cowhide, all kinds of pointers, and various international situations. Relax.

Seeing Li Qinzai's uncomfortable expression, Li Zhi smiled: "Jingchu, you and I got it right more than once, so don't be so nervous. If you want to say something, it's okay to say it."

Li Qinzai grinned, forced a few laughs, and turned to look at Cui Sheng.

"Brother...your sister gave birth, why didn't you come and see? By the way, did you give a gift?"

Cui Sheng rolled his eyes, and said calmly: "Gifts have been given, and there is no time, so I will see you in a few days."

"I'm the Duke of Jin County again, don't forget to make up the ceremony again..." Li Qinzai urged dryly.

Cui Sheng didn't bother to talk to him this time.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu chuckled, and the dignified atmosphere in the hall finally eased a bit.

Li Qinzai gradually became less nervous, so he took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the century-old strategy of the Tang Dynasty can start with food, followed by the eastward expedition to Goguryeo, and the second westward expedition against Tubo. Sharp firearms have a high winning rate."

"What about after solving the two powerful enemies of the Tang Dynasty? Does Your Majesty still have the will to forge ahead?"

Li Zhi thought for a while, then said hesitantly: "If Goguryeo and Tubo are settled, I think...continue the Western Expedition? The 36 countries in the Western Regions, and the Dashi Empire farther away, can all be included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Qinzai sighed, and said: "Your Majesty's mind is still focused on the territory and territory, I think it's inappropriate."

Li Zhi straightened up and said, "I hope Wen Jingchu has a good opinion."

Li Qinzai pondered for a moment, and said, "What do you think of sweet potatoes, Your Majesty?"

Li Zhi nodded: "It can be called a godsend. With it, I have the confidence to conquer the east and west."

Li Qinzai said again: "Your Majesty thinks that the world is so big, is there only this kind of god-given object?"

Li Zhi was taken aback, and said, "Jing Chu means..."

"Your Majesty, I think that when the emperor is in power, it is an achievement to expand the territory, but if the people can live forever without worrying about food and drink, and there will be no famine in the world, it will be the greatest achievement of a generation of British monarchs and sages."

"If this feat can be achieved, the people of all generations in the world will be grateful to His Majesty, and His Majesty's reputation will last forever, and the 'one emperor through the ages' is well deserved."

Li Zhi was puzzled and said: "Jing Chu means that I should put off expanding the territory and focus on finding high-yield new grains instead?"

Li Qinzai shook his head and said: "What I mean is that the emperor's eyes cannot only be placed on the land. To the west of the Tang Dynasty is an endless continent, and to the east is a vast and boundless sea."

"The end of the sea is the goal of Datang's century-old strategy."