Great Tang Dynasty

Chapter 289
If the war cannot be resolved quickly, it will eventually become a war of attrition.

And if it becomes a war of attrition, the fight is for national strength.

In comparison, Datang's national power is much stronger than that of Tuyuhun and Dangxiang. If this continues, Datang will win in the end.

However, this situation is in the most ideal situation.

The most ideal situation is that the army and the people of Datang are of one mind, the people in the court are also of one mind, and the problem of food and grass is not too big. Only in this way can Datang win the war with exhaustion.

But the current situation is not like this, the crown prince doesn't want Li Shimin to win, this alone will add many variables to this war.

The situation is not very good.

And Qin Tian's worry soon became a reality.

At the end of late spring and early summer, there was an urgent report from Gyeongju, saying that the Tang Dynasty was short of food and grass, and could only last for a month. I hope that the court will raise food and grass as soon as possible, otherwise it will not be easy to take back Gyeongju.

The news quickly spread to Chang'an City, and it was brought up in the morning court.

As soon as this matter was brought up, someone stood up: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness King Qin is too slack. After going for such a long time, he still hasn't captured Qingzhou City. I ask you to change his commander."

"Your Majesty, I also feel that His Royal Highness King Qin is slacking off, please ask Your Majesty to change his commander."

"Please ask your majesty to change the coach."

A lot of people stood up, Li Yuan frowned slightly when he saw this situation, at this moment, Duan Zhixuan stood up and said: "My lord, His Royal Highness King Qin is hiding Tuyuhun in Qingzhou City at this time, why not slack off?" Why? Although our Tang army is strong, but the number is too small, it is not suitable for attacking the city. We can only wait for the opportunity. It is normal to be in a stalemate with Tuyuhun. Those who are lazy are all incompetent people, just talking on paper, the Holy One should depose these useless people, lest their words insult the ears of the Holy One."

Duan Zhixuan was thin, but his voice sounded like Hong Zhong's. After he said this, the people who asked for a coaching change immediately blushed, but they refused to admit it.

Soon, he quarreled with Duan Zhixuan.

"I haven't been able to capture Gyeongju City for such a long time. Is it not laziness?"

"That is, if you failed to capture Qingzhou City, don't talk about those who are useless."

"........."

A group of people were chattering, Li Yuan was very bored, and just when Li Yuan was about to stop them, Xiao Yu stood up and said: "Now is not the time to talk about these things, now my Tang Dynasty is short of food, we should find a way to raise food and grass as soon as possible Sent to the front line, not weak His Royal Highness King Qin finally won a battle, and then was taken back by Tuyuhun, it will not be easy to destroy Tuyuhun again."

Xiao Yu is an old minister in the court, and his temper is a bit hot. Most people are a little afraid of him. After he spoke like this, the court became much quieter.

At this moment, Minister of the Household Department stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the grain in our Tang Dynasty has not yet been harvested. At this time, there are not many grain reserves in the country, and the Ministry of Household Department is even more in short supply. It is not easy to prepare food and grass for the border soldiers. "

It was only seven or eight years since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and during these seven or eight years, there have been wars every year. Although Li Yuan is already recuperating, there is not a few years where he can't recover from this kind of thing.

Therefore, the food shortage in Datang at this time is the norm.

After hearing the words of Hubu Shangshu, Li Yuan was also a little helpless.

"No matter what, we must find a way to raise food as soon as possible, and send it to the border soldiers as soon as possible. There must be no mistakes."

Li Yuan gave the order to the household department, and the household department minister complained, but he had no choice but to accept the order quickly.
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After retiring from the court, Li Jiancheng returned to the East Palace.

"Mr. Song, if Li Shimin really captures Qingzhou, I'm afraid that after he returns to Beijing, his power will increase greatly. At that time, the position of the crown prince will be in jeopardy."

Li Shimin is likely to make a comeback. Li Jiancheng was a little uneasy. Song Gongqing naturally saw this, so he immediately said: "We must not let Li Shimin capture Qingzhou City. Come down, the Holy Majesty has no choice at that time, even if His Highness the Crown Prince is not allowed to lead the army, it is possible for His Royal Highness King Qi to lead the army."

Li Yuanji's leadership and Li Jiancheng's leadership are similar to Li Jiancheng. Hearing this, Li Jiancheng said: "Then how can we prevent Li Shimin from capturing Qingzhou City?"

"As long as the food and grass can't arrive on time, it's fine. Li Shimin has no food and grass, will his soldiers still work hard?"

Speaking of this, Song Gongqing said again: "Even if his soldiers are willing to go all out, they can only attack the city. If you attack the city, you will die. At that time, the opportunity will still belong to His Royal Highness."

Li Jiancheng nodded: "Mr. Song is right, but the Ministry of Households raises food, how can we stop it?"

"There are very few people's grain and grass nowadays, and a lot of grain is stored in some big families. We can start from two aspects. First, drive up the price of grain. As long as the price of grain is raised, with the current strength of the Ministry of Households, it is obvious that It is impossible to buy much grain, and the price of grain is high, and those big families and aristocratic families will definitely wait for the price, and at that time, the household department will not be able to receive grain even more."

"Secondly, there are quite a few people attached to His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince can give these people some hints and let them hold on to the food. In this way, the Ministry of Households still cannot raise much food."

After Song Gongqing finished speaking, Li Jiancheng felt that it was feasible, so he quickly gave orders.

Li Shimin's lack of food quickly spread to Qin Tian.

When Qin Tian heard the news, he was not surprised.

Once the war is at a stalemate, the food and grass brought by Li Shimin will definitely not be enough, but whether the court can get enough food and grass for them, I'm afraid it's hard to say.

If the wheat has just been harvested, it’s okay to say, but now that the wheat has just grown, it will take at least half a month to have a good harvest, and one month to pay taxes and pay grain.

Now, the imperial court can't afford that much food at all.

I'm afraid it's not a good buy.

After considering these, Qin Tian immediately called Qin Wu.

"You sent someone to inquire about the situation in North Korea and Chang'an all the time, especially the price of food. As soon as you have news, report it immediately."

"Here!"

Qin Wu retreated in a hurry, Qin Tian was still a little worried, so he called Uncle Fu again.

"How much food do we have left?"

"Master, because the grain harvest is coming soon, we don't have much grain left over from last year. There are about five hundred shi of grain. These are all ready to be used for brewing and eating."

"Notify me, stop brewing wine, and prepare all the food for me."

"Why?"

"There is a shortage of food, and the imperial court needs it. In order to raise food, the imperial court will definitely ban alcohol. If it is brewed, it cannot be sold. The rations will be kept, and the rest will be sent to the prince."

(End of this chapter)